o ^ •^ cd -+- O o o (A o a) BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME PROM THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OP 1891 Zl h:-Ms:i(oa„ j.^i'liM- W:' I?, E C& oB ID HISTORY AND DBSCRIPTION -OF THE- ^Bennington Battle Monument, -AND THE CEEEMONIES AT THE- UYING OF THE CCfRNER STONE, AUGUST 16TH, X887. Published by G. A. Piekce, Beunlagton, Vt. The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924032193868 I^EOOI^X) HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION -OF THE- Bennington Battle Monument, -AND THE CEREMONIES AT THE- LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE, AUGUST 16TH, 1887 A.\^-s\Wo Showing the Site, and the Monument from the Working Plans. Height. 301 feet. J. Ph. Rinn, Architect. DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT. It is not to be doubted that with the completion of the Ben- inraGTON Battle Moxument the town of Bennington will have one of the most interesting memorial structures yet erected in tMs country. An examination of the plans and of the model for the monument in the office of the architect. Me. J. Ph; Rinn^, Ih itihis city, shows at once that it is original in conception, unique in (Character, dignified and impressive. The location for the mcmument seems to have offered an exceptional opportunity of ^wMch the architect has been quick to take advantage. The ele- vation of the State Arms Hill, some 300 feet above the Walloom- sae Valley, with Mt. Anthony 2000 feet high i mile back of it to the .«outh, presented at the outset eonditions that absolutely de- fj^anded a structure that should have in itself some of the same l^ements of majesty and grandeur that will constitute its sur- jroundings and that should fit in as a component part of the land- f scape. This must have been the underlying purpose of Mr. Rinn fin developing his plans, and he has succeeded in producing a de- sign that cannot fail to be wholly in h-armonywith the site which has heen selected for it, and with the spirit of the event which it coBOTnemorates. It was perhaps no easy matter to accomplish this, laut as we look now at the completed plans and models it seej»s ,as though the tall, severe shaft really offered the only pos- sible satisfactory solution of the problem. And thus it is that * Benaaington will have a structure that will dignify and honor the occasion that has called it into existence. The foundation for the structure is now being put in by the contractor, Mr. W. H. Ward, of Lowell, Mass. It wa^ discovered upon Mvestigation that the solid limestone ledge that constituted the site .selected offered of itself a superb natural foundation solid as the 'everlasting hills and capable of supporting forever any building that might be put npon it. On three sides this ledge was levelled off in order to make a smooth and uniform surface and on it the foundation for the monument is now being laid. The foiimdation is 44 feet square at its base and runs up to a height of 9 feet, the sides inclining at a slight angle, like a pyra- mid,' so iJhat at the top it is 37 feet square. The foundation is of limestone from the FiUmore quarry, the stone the greater part of which are 7 feet long, 4 feet wide and 2 feet thick, are laid in ce- ment and with cement pointed joins outside. The ground will be graded arooind this foundation so that about four feet of it will be i beneath Urn surface. • On top of this foundation stands the structure proper. This it will be seen from the accompanying engraving, is a simple shaft in the form of an obeUsk, 801 feet high from foundation to apex. It will be bnilt of Sandy Hill dolomite or magnesian limestone. At the base the walls are seven feet six inches thick, -decreasing gradually to a thickness of two feet at the apex. The outside will be built with what is known technically as headers and stretehers. These are stones cat in long blocks ; the stretchers are laid lengthwise and the headers with ends to the outer wall, and running through to the inside- The outside wall is thus laid ^ imtdl a height of about 260 feet is attained, after which all stones ■extend through the walls. Inside, the walls are left in the rough natural state of the rock. The outside walls nave a rough finish, the limestone being left with a rock or split face. At the right angle comers of the shaft where the sides meet and also at all windows and other openings the stone is finished in quaxter-inch draft Imes or arris, that is it is finished smoothly and along these lines the stone is pitehed off and brought on line with joints of ashler so that arris and joints come to one plane. This device adds much to the artistic beauty of the shaft. It breaks what might otherwise be a hardness of line at the corners and helps to give the column an airiness and gracefulness that constitute one of its most agreeable qualities. The sharpness of outline is in no way diminished by this arrangement while it gives Mded ease to the whole structure and what may be termed a graceful movement, for the eye is carried thereby involuntarily from the base to the apex even after the finished line itself has disappeared, melting away imperceptiblyas the height mcreases. For the outside the coarse ashlers or headers and stretchers as they have been denominated are laid in courses in random length The joins between the ashlers will be filled m with Port- land cement and coarse sand. These joms thus pointed concaved, smoothly tooled and the color of the limestone rock, give the col- umn an air of unity and harmony m finish. The 20 upper courses completing the upper 40 feet of the shaft are jottled or bound to- gether laterally with half-mch copper rods imbedded m the sur- face of the stone and firmly leaded into each block. A capstone crowns the structure. „ , . ^ r.i j. At the height of 200 feet up the shaft there is an entablature 8 feet high and 14 feet above this another entablature 12 feet high. -These entablatures encircle the shaft on all four sides. They do not project from the surface but the blocks of stone con- stituting them have hammered faces so as to offer a slight con- trast to the rough face of the rest of the structure. A ' few feet above the lower line of the lower entablature on each of the four sides of the shaft there is an opening 11 feet wide by 14 feet high. In each of these openings stands a double row of plain columns, four of the columns being flush with the outer surface of the shaft and the others behind them in the interior. These columns are 16 inches apart and across the front row on the inside are run 3 three-inch brass rods afoot apart. The back row of columns is flush with the inside walls of th6 shaft and visitors can pass between them and, advancing up to the bronze 'railing look out upon the landscape through the spaces between the front columns. Sixteen feet below these large openings each side has a group of five narrow windows that really appear like so many narrow slits cut in the column, and again on each side is another similar opening or window above and three others still higher up. N"ear the base are also windows on each side. On the west a large oak door with bronze grills and trim- mings gives entrance to the structure. Over the door is a large , lintel 4 feet by 8 feet on which, it is intended shall be carved heads of Generals Stark, Warner and Allen. The interior as you enter is 22 feet square. The floor is laid on top of the foundation struct- ure and is made of North River flagging, 6 inches thick. A stair- way leads upward into the shaft. This is laid in successive flights up three sides of the shaft and then on the fourth side there is a platform, the same arrangement being then repeated again and again until the upper part of the structure is reached. The sev- eral platforms are lighted by openings in the wall on the south side and where the 5 windows have been noted as appearing there is a platform or floor of flagging, on iron beams with brick arches across the whole interior space. On the level of the larger col- umned opening there is another floor constituting the main outlook. This description with the accompanying engraving may give a tolerably good idea of how the shaft will appear when completed.. It must entirely fall short however of conveying any adequate im- pression of the real beauty of the structure. Something can be de- vinedfrom an inspection of the large plaster model in the studio of Mr. Rinn. Here, inadequate as this model must be in comparison with the completed work, we are made to feel at once its simplic- ity, its grandeur and its pure artistic beauty. First Of all it im- presses you with its solidity. It stands firmly without being ' agressive but as though it might in its impressive granduer defy the ages, as it assuredly will. You feel that it means something more than a pleasing fancy which unfortunately is about all there is in a great many monumental structures in this country. There is a dignity, a grandeur, a force of character in it that holds you strongly. This feeling is no mere figment of the imagination. It is something that must strike anyone who sees the structure and is easily explainable by the masterly manner in which the archi- tect has adapted certain immutable laws of construction to ex- press certain thoughts. Therein has been one of his greatest points of success. Then the beauty of Une in the shaft is remarkable. The ar- tistic eye will note and appreciate this and every observer will feel it. Take the principal line of the structure as it rises from the base to the summit. There is not a break in it, for the en- tablatures and the openings in the walls do not break it in an artis- tic sense. It holds to the strength and solidity of the base at the outset and rises with exquisite grace and sensibility to the apex until it seems almost to float off into space. The inclination that is given to it is admirable and clear-cut without being sharp, soft without being weak, it is wholly artistic and beautiful. As the shaft stands relieved against the background of Mt. Anthony and is looked at from a short distance say from the foot of the hill on which it stands these points must be more apparent than they now are in the model and the effect must be superb. Then you cannot fail to be impressed with the simplicity of the structure. There has been no straining after effect, no at- tempt at meretricious ornament. The architect has held himself firmly and consistently to the idea of making a structure that should be beautiful and impressive in itself alone. There are no balconies, no conspicuous outlooks in fact nothing of ■ features of that character which would give the structure the air of an ob- servatory. It is a memorial shaft, not an observatory that the architect has devised and as such it will forever stand grand in its simplicity, beautiful in its airy gracefulness and full of dignity and repose. Ltman H. Weeks. [In Bennington (Vt.) JSanner, August 18, 1887. LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE. _ August Sixteenth, 18^7, will pass into history as one of the principal events in the long line of occurrences connected with Bennington. As one writer, in reviewing it, says : "The 16th day of August 1777, 1877 and 1887 mark three important and eventful epochs in the history of Bennington. One hundred and ten years ago the victory won for freedom and agianst British op- pression, by the patriotic Benningtonians under Col. Seth Warner and his allies from Massachusetts and New Hampshire, all xmder Gen. John Stark, was most potential in turning the tide of war in favor of the young Republic. The celebration ten years ago of the centennial of the Battle of Bennington was a most memora- ble occasion. The laying of the corner stone of the Battle Mon- ument to-day has also been a notable event. The weather was -pleasant and fully 30,000 people were in town as spectators of, or participants in, the celebration." The day was ushered in by the ringing of bells and a volley from Fuller battery encamped here. There were clouds mingled with sunshine but no rain or other circumstances to mar the com- fort of the occasion. The incoming trains from all directions brought, crowds of people into town. The Sir Knights in their showy and symbolic dress, the visiting military, the G. A. R. and the Odd Fellows, soon made our streets alive with organized bod- ies who were to make up the parade in the afternoon. The vari- ous delegations were met at ^he depot and escorted to their re- spective headquarters which had been provided at the halls of the organizations to which each belonged. The governors and their staffs were the guests of the Association and were entertained at the Putnam. The visiting military companies were the guests of the citizens of Bennington. They were cordially received and hospitably entertained. As these all came into town an inkling was obtained of what the afternoon's procession would be like. The evolutions of the Sir Knights, the marching and movements the 32d Separate company of the New York National Guard, the fine appearance of the Berkshire boys (both cadets and Canton Colfax), together with what could be witnessed of our own uni- formed troops and societies, all these seemed to take up the atten- tion of the assembled thousands and kept them in good nature while anticipation was heightened in consequence. duced Col. Z. M. Mansur of Island Pond, who, in behalf of the Board, addressed Gov. Ormsbee and formally delivered the prop- erty to the State of Vermont. He gave a history of its acquisi- tion and adaptation and bespoke for it the protecting care of the State. Governor Ormsbee accepted for the State the noble gift from the heirs of the late Hon. T. W. Park and the work of the Trus- tees in expending upon it the State's appropriation, and said that so far as his influence could go it would be given to promote a constant interest in the grateful benevolence thus entered upon. Senator Edmunds was then called out and received with hearty applause. He praised the site and its beautiful surround- ings and expressed his pleasure that Vermont had provided a • home for the increasing number of her gallant but unfortunate sons who helped to save the country in its hours of peril and are jiow, with the advance of years, finding themselves unable to bat- tle with the hardships of life. He congratulated the veterans and the State upon the good fortune and good management which had attended the founding of the home and hoped the State would make its capacity equal to the needs that may arise. Ex-Gov. Pingree followed him and spoke of the lively appre- ciation that loyal Vermont has always had of her heroes. She recognizes that but for them we should not to-day have a great and free country that is the pride and praise of all people. To them the people owe a debt which can never be paid, and the least that the public can do is to see that their sufferings are made as light as possible. This ended the speaking, but in conversation Governors Ames and Sawyer spoke of the beauty of the home and the remarkable economy with which it had been secured and adapted. . It was learned from the Trustees that about fifty applications have been made for admission to it, but it will accommodate only 38, and- the next legislature will have to be asked for an appropriation for additional quarters. The veterans and the Trustees spoke in equal praise of Superintendent and Mrs. Coflfey. THE PBOCBSSION FOEMS. GOVEENOE S DAT. At ten o'clock the formalities of Governor's Day in Camp Col. Seth Warner occurred. The brigade was reviewed by Gov. Ormsbee, commander-in-chief. In this pleasant duty he was ac- companied by Governors Sawyer of New Hampshire and Ames of Massachusetts who had arrived just in time to participate. The three Governors were attended as they inspected the brigade by Gen. Greenleaf and his full staff as well as by their own. Among those invited by Gov. Ormsbee as guests (25 in all) vre note Senator Edmunds, Ex-Governors Holbrook, Fairbanks, Barstow and Pingree of Vermont, State Treasurer DuBois and Secretary of State Porter, Com. E. T. Woodward, representing the Government, and many other notables. Included also were several of our prominent citizens, members of the Monument As- sociation and the editors of the local papers. Governor's Day this year was one of great brilliancy, owing not only to the fine appear- ance and discipline of the brigade, but also to the presence of dis- tinguished citizens and the overshadowing importance of what was to immediately follow. The very great improvement m the bearing of the Vermont National Guard after a few days in camp was never more noticeable than on this occasion. As the troops passed m review the breast of all Vermonters swelled with pride as they heard the compliments showered upon them by visitors from other States. As the JBanner said at the beginnmg of these historic events : " The Green Mountain Boys of 1887, will take rank with those of 1861 and 1777, although each must pass into renown in their respective spheres." THE SOLDIEES' HOME DKLIVEEED. At 11 oclock the formalities attending the dedication of the Vermont Soldiers' Home took place. The Governors of V'ermont, Massachusetts and New Hamp- shire and most of the proiiihent military guests, together with the militia ofllcers and many old soldiers assembled at the Sol- diers' Home where, after music. Gen. Wm. Wells, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, called the assemblage to order and intro- Precisely at the hour announced the grand procession formed. The Troy Times' special places the number in line at 3,500 and the number of Masons in town at 1,000. The Chief Marshall, Col. ■ Hooker, and Gen Greenleaf had agreed that the head of the col- umn start at one o'clock whether there were anyone to fall into the rear or not. It was just at the hour when the First Brigade halted at the spot indicated below, and the procession moved down Main street. This was not altogether unanticipated by • those who had witnessed, from the verandas of the Putnam and Stark houses, Col. Hooker give his orders for an hour previous. Nothing could have been seen in the streets at that hour but a dense mass of people and mounted aids moving here and there. At camp much the same order of things was apparent. Gen. Greenleaf, Col. Estey and Maj. Bond were coolly issuing their or-. . ders and awaiting the signal. When, however, the lines did moveg, the streets were cleared as if by magic and the long and imposing column passed in review of the thousands lining both sides of the streets until the site of the monument was reached. There was no delay or break anywhere, and the procession was as well seen within a few rods of starting as farther down. It is safe to say that no finer line was ever seen in Vermont. Perhaps there have been larger numbers, at the Centennial in 1877, for instance, but none more imposing and beautiful. The town presented a holi- day appearance, nearly every house and place of business on the line of march and streets upon which the formations were made, being one line of flags and other decorations. On Pleasant street, the residence of Hon. A. B. Valentine, headquarters of Gov.Orms- bee, displayed a large flag tastefully hung in festoons. The wav- ing of plumes, the flasMng of swords, the glitter of shoulder straps and gilt accoutrements presented a pleasing spectacle. Space will not admit of an itemized report of the other and elab- orate decorations. The Rev. J. S. Michaud displayed the National flag above the green flag of Ireland. THE PEOCBSSION Formed at the junction of Pleasant, Union and Main streets in 'Bennington Village, at 12:30 p. m., and moved at 1 o'clock sharp, down Main street to Bennington Centre in the order following : United States Maislial John Bobineon, supported by two deputies. Chief Marshal, Col. George W. Hooker. Henry Crosby and Walter ^ Pratt, standard bear- ers. (Staff, composed of prominent citizens of Ver- mont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New York.) John S Lyman, chief of staff: Ex-Gov S E Pingree, Col W C Holbrook, H K Ide, N I Hawley, J L Martin, Geo S Dowley, J A Taylor, Dr Fred Pettee, Dr H C Pettee, H F Brooks, C F R Jenney, Calvin Gilson, J T Moore, Barney Cannon, J H Kidder, Q M Eussell, Frank R^, Mills Brown, Dr Titus, J W Mellendy.D B Goddard, GecJ A Briggs. W H Minor, E G Frost, J K Batchelder, E C Woodward, G W Brownson. O M Barber, J L Cochran, Col W B Wright, Col Thad M Chap- man, Gen L G Kingsley, Capt S M Dorr, Maj Hugh H Baxter, Trenor L Park, W'H Brad- fqrd,Dr B C Jenney, L S Norton,C N Powers, L N JEvans, A J Dewey, E G Jennings, Mai M • , C Holt, Col LeSrand C. Tibbits, H C Shields, Ma]"W K Chase, Oscar A Gassett, W W Bulk- ' ley. Col A S Tracey, and Sidney Holmes. First Regiment Military band, Fred C Leltsinger, Iieader, 25 pieces. First Brigade, V N G, 800 men. Brig-Gen William Ij.Greenleaf commanding. {Col Julius J Estey conunanding First Regiment; Maj Geo H Bond.cominanding provisional battalion^ First Regiment Military Band Drum Corps. Grand Army of the Republic, Capt Jos Frost,Sen- ior Vice Department Commander and staff. W C Schroader adjutant, ' 160 men in line with Custer Post, Oha* E Gr^es, Post Commander. Of these were represented Post Roberts, No 14 Rutland, EC W«bster commanding; Post Skinner ,]No ^jManchester, John Blackmer commanding: Post Wood; No 294, Hoosiok FaUs, N Y, L E Worden^om- manding; Post Vaughn, No 79, Danby,W H Bond,conunanding. ' ' Bennington Battle Monument' Association, and Committees. Governor of Vermont and Staff, Representative 17. S. Governlpent, Ex-Gov. Prescott, President of the Day. Congressmen Stewart, Orator of the Day. LA YING OF THE COBNEB STONE. His Excellency Charles H Sawyer, governor of New Hampshire, and staff. His Excellency Oliver Ames, governor of Massar chusetts, and staff. Judges of the Vermont Supreme Court. In car- riages as follows: No 1— Governor E J Ormsbee of Vermont, Ex-Gov B F Prescott of New Hampshire, Col B B Smalley representing United States Govern- ment, and Gen T S Peck. No 2— Governor C H Sawyer and Adjutant Gener- al Ayling of New Hamushire|6overnor Oliver Aines and Adjutant General Dalton of Massa^ chusetts. No 3 — Quartermaster (general Gilmore, Lieuten- ant E H 0atlin of the regular aTmy,Inspector General Wheeler Quartermaster General H L Portor of New Hampshire. No 4— Surgeon General Branch of GrOvernorOrms- baoi's staff , aud Col Newman and Col Neil of Gov Ames' staff, and Judge J G Bellows of New Hampshire, No 5— Col F S Stranahan of Gov Ormsbee's staff, Col J M McInt08h,Col R F Bartlett of Gover- nor Ames' staff, and Col A L Emerson of Gov. Sawyer's staff. . No 6— Col Wm A Crombie and Col Z M Mansur of Gov Ormsbee's staff. Col W E Spauldi^ of Gov Sawyer's staff, and Col Richard P Bart- lett of Gov Ames' staff. No 7-^Ql D K Hall and Col R E Hathorn of Gov Ormsbde's staff. Col S M RiChatds and Col C H Wells of Gov Sawyer's staif. No 8— Col D E May of Gov Ormsbee's staff and others. Temple Military Baud, Hoosick Falls, 28 pieces 32d Separate Company, Hoosick Falls, N Y, N G, ' of New York, 68 men. Capt C W Eddy, commanding. ' Cadet Drum Corps. North Adams Cadets, Independent Company, 35 men, Capt H^rry King commanding. > Canton Colfax Drum Corps. Canton CoUax,: No 10, 1 O F,North Adams,Mas8, 25 Cheveliers, Capt P M Parley, command- ing- Cant(!)hBenningtoniNo4,24 ©heveliers, Capt N M Puffer,commanding. Canton Palestine No S.Brattleboro 20 Cheveliers, Capt E B Parker .commanding. MA80KIC DIVISIOir. Bight Worshipful Thomas S Miller, Seputy grand Masohke's band.Troy.NY 28 pieces, C H Maschke, Leader. Taft Commaudery, Bennington, G S Mattison, E C. , 30 men as escort. Adonlram Lodge, No 42, 1 H Dench, W M,60 men, 'which comprised in its ranks members of Lodges from Arlington, Pawlet and other places. Mount Anthony Lodge, No 13, Bennington, H L Stillson, W M,80 men, which comprised in its ranks members of lodges from No. Bennington, Powrial, Damby Hoo- sick Falls, N Y,.and,other towns. Knights Templar, Eminent John R Pilling, grand captain general. (With 250 Sir linights in line. In center of line of Masonic Division was Rutland cornet band C A Collins leader, 18 pieces. Commanderies acting as escort to Grand Com- maudery were as follows : Killington Oorpmandery, No 6, Rutland, W P Lewis, E C. Palestine, No 5, St Johnsbnry, E F Griswold,E C. Mt. Calvary, No 1, Middlebury, F N Manchester, EC. Mt. Zion, No 9, Montpeller and Northfleld, J P Washburn, E C; Of&cers of Grand Commaudery: Among whom were Sir DelosM Bacon,RE Grand Command- er; Sir Will P Lewis, VE Deputy Grand Com- mander; Sir Frank H Ba3oom,E Grand Treas- vfrer; Sir Warren G Reynolds, E Grand Re- corder, and others. Grand Lodge of Vermont(see Masonic procession,) Most Worshipful William Russell Burleigh,Grand Miaeter of New Hampshire: Worshipful Wm Parkman, P G M, .representing the Grand Master of Massachusetts. Most Worshipful Alfred A Hall, Grand Master of Vermont, attended by Most Worshipful Chas H Robinson^ Grand Master of North Carolina. Fuller Battery, Capt Levi K Fuller commanding. PRELIMINARY TO THE CEREMONIES, As the Fuller Battery reathed Main street in Bennington Centre, it dashed rapidly 'up to the site of the old Continental storehouse where it unlimbered and fired a salute of thirteen guns, which announced the formal opening of the corner stoiie exercises. Seated on the speaker's platform around the monument were Ex- Gov. B. F. Prescott of New Hampshire, President of the Ben- nington Battle Monument Association, Gov. Oliver Ames of Mas- sachusetts, Gov.C. H. Sawyer of New Hampshire, and Gov. E. J. Ormsbee, Senator Geo. F. Edmunds, Cofagressman John W. Stew- art, orator of the day, and Congressman William W. Grout of Vermont. A second stand was ocbupied by the staffs of the three Governors and by such well known Vermonters as ex-Gov. Hor- ace Fairbanks, ex-Gov. Samuel E. Pingree, ex-Gov. John L. Bar- stow, ex-Gov. Frederick Holbrook, Col. B. B. Smalley, Gen. Wm. Wells, Judge H. H. Powers, Judge J. W. Rowell, Col. Franklin Fairbanks, State Treasurer DuBois, Siecretary of State Porter, Secretary of Finance Page, Gen. P. P. Pitkin, Col. John C. Stearns, Hon. James K. Batchelder, Gen. T. S. Peck, Gen. William H. Gil- more, Col. Albert Clarke, Col. F. S. Stranahan, Col. William A. Crombie, Col. D. K. Hall, CoL Z. M. Mansur, Col. R. E. Hathorn, Col. De May, Interstate Commissioner A. F. Walker, Hon. War- ren Gibbs, Hon. Daniel Roberts, Hon. B. D. Harris, Gen. H. K. Ide and Col. T. C. Fletcher. Upon this stand were also seated the members of the Monument Association's Board of Directors, the Builditig and special Committee^ '' The platform occupied by the Grand Lodge and Grand Com- maudery was situated just south of the corner stone. The stone is seven feet long, three feet wide and two feet arid seven inches thick, and wilj weigh more than five tohS. The recieptacle within it is two feet long, one foot wide and eight inches deep. In this receptacle was pl&.ced a copper box, and within the box were placed the articles as read by the'Grknd Secretary and enumerated below. Another stand had been prepared, just to the right of the second stand, on the sf)uth-ea;st corner, and upon thi^the Monument Com- mittee had provided ample accommodations for the press, the First Jlegiment Band and the vocalists of Bennington and Berkshire men, mentioned in the proper place below., J , MASQNIC CEREMONY^ The order of Masonic procession and ceremony used at the laying of the comer stone of the Bennington Battle Monutnent, August 16, was as follows : ■ The preliminary regulations: were : The BrethSeii- will ap- pear dressed in black suits, with white gloves and aprouSj wear- ing their appropriate jewels. The grand lodge will be opened on the Third Degree, at the Hall of Mount Anthony , Lodge, No. 13, and after necessary pre- cautions are giveu Will be called from labor. ' , ., The procession will be^fqrmed at 1^:30 p. m.,underj, the. di- rection of Chief Marshal, Col. George W. Hooker, and wiU con- sist of Military, Civic and Masonic Divsions. These officers of the Grand Lodge participate in the proces- sion and ceremonies :,M.-. W.*. Alfred A. Hall, grand master ; R.-. W.-. George W. Wing, deputy grand master; K-. W.;. Delos M. Bacon, grand senjor warden; R. W. John H.' Whipple, grand jun- ior warden ; R. W. Chas. W. Whitcomb, grand treasurer ; R". W. Lavant M. Read, grand secre^ry ; W.-. Warren G. Reynolds, as- sistant grand secretary ; W. Wm. J. Sperpy, grand seniorcjeacon ; W. R,igney D. Marvin, grand junior deacoui ; W. M. Willson John- son, grand lecturer ; W. Rev. Edwin \Vheelock, grand chaplain ,; W. Rev. Frederick iS. Fisher, assistant grand chaplain ; W, Har- ley G. Sheldon, grand mars]jLal;W- Thomas S.' Miller, deputy grand marshal ; W. J. Halsey Adams, grand pursuivant ; W. Eu- gene S- Leonard, grand sword bearer; W. Daniel C. Barber, W. Asaph T. Taft, grand stewards; W. Lafayette Soper, grand tyler; Bro, J. Ph. Rinn, principal architect ; ,B?"0. Olin Scott deputy ar- chitect and inspector. THE MASONIC PROCESSION ] ' was formed in the following order, under the direction of W. Thomas S. Miller, Deputy Marshal : ■ Telntflar Escort. (Taft Commaudery, No. 8, Bennington) Tyler with drawn sword. Master Masons. ' Two Deacons,, withTods. Secretaries andTreasurerS. Past Masters. Royal Arch Masons. Subordinate Commanderies, V. Em. John R; Pilling, Grand Captain General. Grand Commandery of Vermont in form of a tri- angle as special escort to the Grand Lodge, R. Em. Delos M. Bacon, Grand Commander. Grand Lodge, under charge of W. Harley G. Sheldon, Grand Marshal. ■ Grand Tyler, with drawn sword. . ; ; , , •• ■ • , ■ Grand Stewards, with rods, Principal Architect, with square, level and plumb, ' ' ' Graud'Seoretary and Grand Treasurer. ! ' i Bible»,Square and Compasses, , carried by Master of a Lodge, supported by two ■ ' ' Stewards. Grand Chaplain and Assistant Grand Chaplain. The five Orders in Architecture. ^ Past Grand Wardens. i Past Deputy Grand Masters. . ' Past Grand Masters^ Grand Junior Warden, carryiEg silver vessel with oil. Grand' Senior Warden, carrying silver veSsel with wine. 1 Deputy Grand Master, carrying golden vessel . . '' ■ Withioorn. ' . : I Master of the oldest lodge, carrying Book of Con- stitutions. ' J ,■' Grand 'Pursuivant,; , Grand Master of Nay Hampshire,Past Grand Mas- ' ' ter Wm.' Parkinan of Massachusetts, repre- , senting Grand M^ter, and Chas. H. Robin- son Grand M^ter of North* Carolina. M. W. AUred A. Hall,- Grand Master, and tWo I J Deacons. . Grand Sword Bearer, with drawn sXt'oi-d. Fuller Battery, Capt. Levi K. Puller, commanding. ZA YIJSFG OF THE CORNER STONE. At noon the Battery fired a National salute of 38 guns. The procession on arriving at the ground where the Monu- ment is to be erected will open to the right and left, and, uncov- ering, the Grand Master, his officers, the Chief Magistrate, and in- vited guests, while the battery fires a salute of 13 guns, will pa^ss through the lines together with the escort, and the rest of the brethren will be massed in the position assigned to them, while music is rendered by the band! The Marshals Command, Silence !, Overture — Zampa-rrHerold by First Regiment Military Band Fred. C. Leitsinger, Leader. INTEODUCTORY REMARKS BY EX-GOV. PEESCOTT. Ziodies and Genilemen : — We meet on historic ground. We formally commence a work which has long been in contemplation and long been due to the memory of the brave men who, one hun- dred and ten years ago to-day, on yonder field, surrounded by al- most insurmountable diflaculties, poorly clad and scantily equipped, without discipline or preparation, but led by heroic leaders, and with strong arms and hearts, and with a determination never be- fore excelled, if ever equalled, won a complete victory over a well equipped, . well disciplined, and well officered invading army all admit was one of the most decisive battles of the Revolution- ary war. The monument here to be erected is to commemorate that event, and will forever stand as a witness to the bravery and patriotism of the participants in that struggle. The corner stone to this towering structure is now to be laid by the Grand Lodge of Free Masons of the State of Vermont, who have been in- vited to perform that interesting and time-honored ceremony. I now introduce the Most Worshipful Alfred A. Hall, Grand Mas- ter, who will proceed to the duty assigned him. RESPONSE BY GRAND MASTER HALL. In iwcepting the task of laying the corner stone Grand Master Hall very happily alluded to this historic spot where stood the first orator of Bennington's Battle anniversary (as well as the first Grand Master of this Grand Lodge) onthe memorable day of Aug- ust 16th, 1778. He accepted the labor and proceeded : Grand Master.— No man or body of men- should enter upon any great and important undertaking without first invoking the Blessing of Deity. You will therefore attend while prayer is of- fered by the Grand Chaplain. PRAYER. Ea^her, we come from far and from near to lay the corner stone of this monument which is to comiiienlorate the deeds of the fath- ers. May it speak of coiirage and love of country to the remotest posterity and be a perpetual reminder to the incoming millions of this great land, of the blessings of God on a virtuous and intelli- gept people, who walk uprightly and speak the truth in their hearts and lay their institutions in righteousness, that they may be more enduring tbajlthis granite and never fail. Merciful Fath- er, grant, we most humbly beseech Thee, that being united in the bonds of a free and just Government, and in a valor that never falters in the day of trial, and in all the tender ties of humanity, we m^y also bq united; as one vast and godly nation, in the stronger bonds that can' never be brdken, the love of God, the grace of Christ, the communion of the Holy Spirit, and the presence of angels, arch-angels holding their banner of love and protection over us evermore and evermore. And long may we continue to exist,' as a beautiful and holy country, sharing in the joys of 'boun- tiful prosperity and the honors,, purity and truth, until we ara all transfigured into the sweet delights and reunions of Heaven, through Him who has loved us and hitherto guided us, and unto whom be praise and glory and honor world without end. Amen. Response — So mote it be. Grand Master. — Brother Grand Senior Warden, the Grand Lodge of Vermont having been invited to lay the corner stone of the Monument to be here erected in commemoration of the victory achieved by the patriots of the Revolution, August 16th, 1777, it is my order that the Grand Lodge do now proceed to the perform- ance of that most important ceremony. Communicate this order to the Grand Junior Warden and he to the craft for their govern- ment. Grand Senior Warden. — Brother Grand Junior Warden, it is the order of the M. W. Grand Master, that the corner stone of the Monument here to be erected, be now laid with Masonic honors. Communicate this order to the craft for their government. Grand Junior Warden. — Brethren, it is the order of the M. W. Grand Master, that the corner stone of the Monument here to be erected b6 now laid with Masonic honors. Take notice and gov- ern yourselves accordingly. Grand Master.— I declare the Grand Lodge ready to proceed with the ceremony. MUSIC. "What Shines so Bright," by Kreutzer. Double male quartette. Messrs. Edwin Humphrey (Adams, Mass.) and H. I. Norton (of Bennington), tenors ; Merritt B. Mor- gan, Albert MacDonald, 2d tenors; H. L. Hover, Hubert Downs, 1st bass ; E. A. Booth (of Bennington), Fred A. Flagg(of Boston; 2d bass. This choir rendered all the vocal music of the occasion. Dr. A. S. M. Chisholm was the leader. Grand Master.— Brother Grand Secretary, you will read a list of the contents of the box to be placed in the corner stone for the benefit of future generations. Grand Secretary. — Obeys as follows : Holy Bible, Gov Hall's Early History of Yermont, Rev. Isaac Jenning's Memorials of a Century, Rev. Isaac Jenning's'Histoii, cal Account relating to the Battle Monument, Manuscript copy )|te; the contract for the erection of the Monument, Biographical Eial'.* cyclopedia 19th Century, Vermont ; Copies Bennington Banneb, newspaper ; Copies Bennington Reformer, newspaper ; other Ver- mont newspapers, Troy and New York newspapers. Printed laws relating to Monument, Battle of Bennington and Vermont Cen- tennial, Forbes' Vermont Centennial, History of Odd Fellowship, Report of Masonic Grand Lodge of Vermont, 1887; Official pro- gramme of laying corner stone, August 16th, 1887 ; Masonic cere- monies laying corner stone, Vermont, Bennington Centennial Memorial Medal, Bank notes of the Banks in Beimington, Copper coins. Brigade order and roster, regimental order from Adjutant General's office for muster of 1887. Of the above the medal was contributed by Dr. C. P. Thayer of Boston, Mass. ; copper coins by Thos. S. Miller of St. Albans and Mrs. S. M. Sibley. She also presented the Farmer's Almanac. The history of Odd Fellow- ship ,was written by H. L. Stillson and donated fpr this purpose by Vermont Grand Lodge. Copy of Banner contained cut of monument and Record History written by Chas. M. Bliss. Mr. Jennings' Historical Account was in manuscrijpt. Grand Master — Brothers Grand Treasurer and Grand Secre- tary, you will superintend the , placing of the. box in the proper receptacle. [Dona] Hymn, "America, " double quartette, band jbipmg. My cotmtry, 't is of theje, Sweet laua of liberty, ' Of tbeelstng; Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrim's pride. From every mountain side Let freedom ring ! My native country, thee — Land of the nobl6 frfee — Thy name I love : , I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hilli; , My heart with rapture thrills Like that abbve. Our fathers' God ! to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thpe we sing; Long may oui; land be brigl^t With freedom's holy light s , I Protect us by Thy might, Gifeat 0od, our Kln^! Grand Master. — Most Worshipful and Right Worshipful Brothers you will assist me in superintending the placing of the corner stone. Grand Master. — Brother Grand Marshal, you will see that the Craftsmen lower the Stone in accordance with Masonic form. Solemn music will be rendered by the band ; the Stone wUl be lowered with three distinct pauses,, the public grand honors being given by the members of the Grand Lodge at each pause, and a gun by the battery at each even,t. . The. Principal Architect presents the square, leve].aad plumb to the Grand Master', who presepts ' them to the Deputy Grand Master, Grand Senior Warden and Grand Junior Warden. Grand Master. — R. W. Deputy Grand Master, what is the jewel of your office ? Deputy Grand Master. — The Square. Grand Master. — What are its Moral and Masonic uses? Deputy Grand Ma.- our legislature m 1876. Among the active managers of the asseciation since its or- ganization under the charter may be found the names of several of the Governors, of this state, of the state of New Hampshire and of the state of Massachusetts. Notwithstanding the fact that ten years have elapsed smce the association was organized, I yet venture to congratulate its officers upon the expedition made and the early success which has crowned their efforts. All experience in these matters has shown that, save when undertaken and carried forward by the government, indefinite time is required. In December, 1799, both houses of Congress adopted a resolution for the erection of a monument to commemo- rate the great events of the military and political life of Washington, and yet the corner stone was not laid until 1848 and it was not com- pleted until 1885 and never would have been had not Congress m the centennial year 1876 resolved: "In the name of the people of the United States to assume and direct the completion of the Wash- ington monument in the city of Washington:" . , , V Since its organization, the association and its fri^ends have been unremitting in their efforts to raise necessary funds, secure a proper design and mature plans for the earliest practicable accomplishment of the patriotic end in view, to wit, the erjection of an imposing memorial structure at Bennington. As it was by the united and vol- untary action of the yoemanry of the colonies of New Hampshire and Massachusetts and the then independent State of Vermont that the eventful victory we celebrate was won, so it seemed eminently proper that those States should severally unite in making contribu- tion to the erection of such memorial. Accordingly the subject was presented to the legislatures of those States respectively, and met from each a prompt and generous response. This State contributed the larger sum, $15,000, and properly so, considering the question of the locality of the event and of its proposed memorial. Massachu- setts contributed $7,500 and New Hampshire $5,000. The aggregate of the sums was increased T)y private subscription from all parts of the country to the sum of $40,000. The 46 th Congress of the Unit- ed States supplemented this sum by appropriating an equal amount, which has been paid into the treasury of the association and is now available for its purposes. The total amount thus raised and pledged is $80,000. This State has recently, in 1886, made a fur- ther appropriation of $10,000 for the purchase of a suitable site and grounds for the monument. It need not be supposed that so much has been accomplished without much patient and persistent effort on th,e part of those charged with the duty of raising funds. The usual Hindrances and delays which beset such schemes have been met and successfully overcome. No little delay and perplexity has been oc- casioned by differences of opinion as to the proper design for the monument — in such cases never a subject upon which views easily meet. Artists and connoisseurs often differ widely as to the fitness of a given design. One declares in favor of an elaborate and mystic symbolism, unintelligible to the common mind without a key, An- other prefers a design distinguished by mere beauty of form, delicacy of outline and dainty artistic conception and finish ; while perhaps a third, underrating or insensible to the charm of beautiful form and graceful outline, would prefer a shapeless boulder symbolizing noth- ing save endurance. From the number of designs submitted by dif- ferent artists, the Association selected after careful deliberation the one designed by Mr. J. Ph. Rinn of Boston. It is believed that this design meets every required demand. Its realized embodiment, standing upon solid rock, will rise, graceful in outline, massive and majestic in proportion, to the imposing height of 300 feet ; its sum- mit commanding a view of the scenes so memoiable. So standing, ' it will commend itself to. the eye and judgment of future beholders as a fitting memorial and symbol, both of the great event it is de- signed to commemorate and the grand and heroic character of the men whose valor on that August day, so long ago, made possible the two victories at Stillwater and the surrender at Saratoga in the suc- ceeding- October,. And this brings me to notice very briefly the his- torical significance of the Battle of Bennington and the bearing it had directly upon the fate of Burgoyne's expeciition, and more re- motely, though not less certainly, upon the result of the then pend- ing struggle between the colonies and the mother country. I am not unaware that this is a wellr-worn theme. The story of the battle, in which so many of the citizens of this county took part, is as familiar as a household wor^. Indeed 'Bennington Battle' are to them house- hold words. The story has been oft told by sire to son and grandsire to won- dering grand-children gathered at his knee. It was from these homes about us that so many went out to meet and stay, the invader. It is in many of these peaceful homes that their kindred and descend- ants now live. Here, too, annually, as the years since 1777 have flown, the dwellers in this region have gathered and by appropriate ceremonies observed the anniversary of victory and. deliverance. It has been to them almost as sacred as the annual feast of the passover to the Jews. At each recurring anniversary the story has been rehearsed anew. It has been a theme fruitful of impassioned oratory and an inspiration to the poet, and it has been enbalmed by the historian. What can I say more, or other, or better, than that has been spoken and written by your own, nay, our own, honored citizen, the late Gov. Hall, whose interest in, and whose . knowledge of the early history of this region was unmatched. We miss indeed, his venerable and benignant presence here to-day, a day which more than any other he longed to see ; and yet the impress and impulse and inspiration of his spirit has been felt at every step in the pro- gress of this Association, and abides with us to-day. I recall also the wise caution as to brevity in the invitation , ex- tended to me by your committee, but the occasion seeins to demand, within the prescribed limits, a brief sketch of the situation just prior to the battle and notice of the effect of the victory, both direct and remote. The summer of 1777 was a season of gloom and depression in the American colonies. They were scattered, incoherent and with- 10 LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE. out funds and appliances adequate to cope successfully with the rich and powerful mother country. The tories were exultant. The timid were halting between two. The leaders were despondent. Burgoyne's formidable expedition, planned in London for the purpose of cutting off New England from the other colonies, was making its apparently resistless way southward to its goal. On the 6th of July he captured Ticonderoga and on the next day he struck and routed at Hubbard- ton the rear guard of our retreating army. At this critical moment, when Burgoyne's success seemed most assured, the Council of Safety, then the provisional government of Vermont, appealed to Massachu- setts and New Hamsphire for aid in repelling invasion of the western border thus left -open and defenceless. Right nobly did these colonies respond to the call, and " Ho, to the Borders" rang through the hills of New Hampshire and was echoed along the valleys of Berkshire and Worcester. John Stark with his stalwart men from the granite hills came marching across the mountains, and Col. Simonds rallied the men of Berkshire, among whom was the maternal grandfather of the speaker ; and Warner and Herrick and Williams and Brush came also with their Vermonters, among them the paternal grandfather of the speaker. Gen. Stark with his brigade reached Bennington on the 9th of August. It was on the 15th of the previous month, that the Vermont Council of Safety had addressed the executives of Massachusetts and New Hampshire and thus promptly had New Hampshire re- sponded. Gen. Stark had already earned reputation as cslonel at Bunker Hill and under Washington at Trenton and Princeton, and was a man of great force and courage. His instructions from the president of New Hampshire upon setting out on this expedition cu- riously illustrates the qiiasi independence of the colonies at that time. They were : " To repair to Charlestown No. 4," and. when the troops were collected there, " to take command of them and march into the State of Vermont and there act in conjunction with the troops of that State or any other of the States, or of the United States, or sep- arately, as it should appear expedient to him for the protection of the people or the annoyance of the enemy." Never was discretion- ary power more wisely bestowed. The result justified the confidence reposed in General Stark, although the order was criticised severely as subversive of military discipline. Burgoyne had at this time reached the Hudson river, his progress having been retarded by nat- uaral obstacles and obstructions inteiposed by the scattering force of Americans which hung along his flank and front in the wilderness through which he marched. He at this time needed supplies and means of transportation, and his object in detaching Baum and send- ing him to Bennington was to capture the stores there gathered in considerable quantities for the use of Gen. Schuyler's army. But the hastily rallied pioneers were there before him, and, my fellow-cit- izens, never was there a more grand, spontaneous uprising of a brave, noble race of men in defence of a holy cause — home, country, free- dom, everything which makes life dear or worth living. On August 14th, Baum had reached a point about six miles from Bennington and had captured a large quantity of wheat and flour at Sancoik mill. From here he wrote a dispatch to Burgoyne, that about 1800 militia were in his front,, which would leave at his approach; of which another has wittily said, " They did leave, but took Baum's wkolearmy along with them." On the night of the 14th Baum en- trenched his army in a strong position. On the isth it rained. On the 16th Stark attacked the entrenched and disciplined troops on all sides. They made a brave defence, but were nearly all killed or taken pris- oners. Immediately after the battle was over, Col. Breyman, sent to reinforce Baum with five or six hundred men, was observed ap- proaching, with whom a second battle was fought, continuing until sunset, when the enemy fled, leaving his artillery and escaping in the darkness. About 700 of the enemy were captured and 207 men killed. Gov. Hall, in his "Early History of Vermont," says : "The in- jury to the enemy by this disaster can scarcely be overstated. It was not confined to his actual losses of men and munitions of war, though these were of considerable importance. This victory was the first check given to the triumphant march of Burgoyne from Canada and was an uneixpected example of a successful assault by undisciplined miUtia, armed with muskets without bayonets, upon an entrenched camp of veteran troops defended by cannon." In a private letter to the British minister in London, written four days after the battle, Burgoyne says, "Had I succeeded I should have effected a junction vith St. Leger, and been now before Albany." In the same letter he gays his respects to the people of Vermont in the following words : " The New Hampshire Grants in particular, a country unpeopled in the last war, now abounds in the most active and most rebellious of the continent, and hangs like a gathering storm on my left." We can hardly overestimate the effect of this victory upon the then desparate cause of the colonies. Such effective fight- ing by raw militia against entrenched veterans astounded and dis- heartened the enemy. The news flew over the land and thrilled ail hearts with joy, renewed flagging hope, inspired fresh confidence in the prowess of our army and in our ultimate triumph. Says Geri. Hawley in his report to the House of Representatives of the 46th Congress, recommending the appropriation already mentioned: " This brilliant victory of New England yoemei) over disciplined forces aroused every section of the country to renewed effort, re-in- forced the northern army by the thousands, and thus ensured the success of the Saratoga battles, resulting in the capitulation of Bur- goyne and his whole army. Conseqent on this was, the French alli- ance, the importance of which to the final result is a matter of his^ tory. To the Bennington battle, then, one of the most brilliant in the annals of the war of the Revolution must be therefore largely accorded the achievement of the independence of America." It .is curious to notice how necessary to this grand result seems each successive link in this chain of cause and efffect. If Baum had taken the needed supplies to Burgoyne's army, its triumphant march to Albany would have been speedy and certain. The recruits to our army, then needed for effectual resistance to Bur- goyne's advance, would have staid at home, The French alliance, without which the achievement of independence would have been im- possible in the face of such disaster and- general discouragement, would not have been effected. But this is not a time for speculation or conjecture. Our fathers ^/zVf rally and stand here, like a wall of consuming fire, against the invading host, and their rally and battle and victory will forever stand in American history as one of the most dramatic and eventful episodes recorded on its pages. Probably few, if any, of those engaged in the battle began to measure the momentous consequences which hung upon its issue. It seemed to them simply a struggle for, the capture or retention of a quantity of supplies, and so far important, bat the far reaehing con- sequences of the result could not then be forseen. Our fathers " builded better than they knew." We estimate the value of their service in the light of subsequent events. But their want of fore- knowledge does not detract in the slightest degree from the moral quality of their action. That lies in their ready, unselfish loyalty to a perilous duty, and their prompt response to its call at the risk of life itself. No race of men ever trod this planet who more than they revered and respected rightful authority, divine and human, and it was the rightness and righteous exercise of authority which commanded their respect and allegiance. Its abuse they knew was outside the func- tions of government and therefore intolerable. The committee of the convention at Westminister in 1777 enun- ciate the principle thus : " Whenever protection was withheld by a government no allegiance was due or could of right be demanded." The pioneers in this region were not unwilling to submit to the colonial jurisdiction of New York, but could not and never would suffer unjust evictions of lands granted by an officer of the crown and redeemed to uses of civilization by years of patient toil and hardship. In common with other colonists, they would have remained in willing allegiance to the English government had the latter respected and secured to them those natural rights which are the gift of God and not of governments. These men saw clearly the true functions of government, and so gave new meaning to the term patriotism. Love of country is in- stinctive and universal, and men have died for country in every age, but in every age until the English revolution, government and coun- try have been convertible terms, and human history is not a history ot the people, but almost to our time a continuous record of the fol- lies and crimes and oppressions committed by kings and princes and nobles. The great teacher and Saviour of the race declared the rights and dignity of the individual man, as man, nineteen centuries ago ; but the grand truth was never recognized and formulated by any civil government, until, more than 1200 years later, the great charter of English liberty was wrung from a reluctant king. For centuries afterward it was practically disregarded, but the seed sown in nlen's hearts slowly germinated and grew and became the tree of liberty under which our fathers gathered and which they watered with their blood. Did time serve I might dwell upon the personal characterfstics of the men who then dwelt in this region — of their manly fortitude in time of trial, of the wisdom and moderation which marked their delibera- tions, of the courage with which they confronted all adversaries, of their respect for rightful authority and their hatred of its abuse. I might tell how they braved the dangers of the frontier forest and subdued it to the uses of advancing civilization, whose banner they bore ; how civil order prevailed among them while yet there was no organized power, legislative, executive or judicial, by which those BEGOEB SISTOB T OF THE MONUMENT. 11 functions could be exercised, and yet such was the self-governing capacity of these pioneers, for the most part plain farmers, that un- der the most trying emergencies and without any of the ordinary ap- pliances which pertain to government in the maintenance of private rights and public rights and public order, they held both secure, and at the same time without stint gave of their scanty means, and offered themselves a ready sacrifice in support of the common cause, of all which Ticonderoga, Hubbardton, Bennington and Saratoga will stand as witnesses forever. They were no carpet knights, nor plumed cavaliers playing fan- tastic tricks of knight errantry. They were grim fighters, and they fought in their every-day clothes ; but as they stood on that long summer day in deadly conflict with the hirelings of a half-demented Wng, who madly flung away the brightest jewel in his crown, every ,^rave heart 'neath the yoeman's jacket beat with the Iciftiest Pnspiration of a courage born of faith in God and in his eternal ' principles of justice and in deathless devotion to country. Every patriot bullet was winged and instinct with this inspiration. While love of country flamed m their hearts, that word, country, meant far tnore to them than it did to the Greeks at Marathon. , To them country stood for the people, secure in all natural rights and all the '/.social and civil freeinstitutions essential to their preservation. They scorned kingly and priestly and lordly and every form of class priv- ilege and prerogative. They were living epistles of a new faith. They were yoemen, they were warriors, they were statesmen. They were fit founders of a new system of government so well epitomized by the immortal Lincoln as a "Government of the people, for the people, by the people" In this faith they lived, and for jts trium- phant establishment they fought and conquered on yonder hillside. The honor of their grand achievement is the glorious inheritance of the three New England States represented here to-day, from whose valleys and hillsides their patriotic sons, leaving wife and child an4 quiet home and peaceful pursuits so swiftly rallied at the call of country. The fruits of their victory are the common heritage of the wholt eountry for all time to come. Their heroic example is for mankind. The law of the conservation of force prevails in the mor- al as in the physical world. Nothing is lost. The heroic life or he- roic death in a just cause though apparently hopeless, will some time bear rich harvest in reconversion into successful heroic action inspired by example. Such was the event and such the character of of the actors therein, in reverent memory of which we are met on this anniversary day to perform this initial ceremony. We begin ttow the erection of a majestic and enduring memorial which shall in some degree symbolize our conception of an event so fraught with great results, and wrought, too, by an ancestry whose heroic character and achievement must forever challenge our admiration and gratitude. Let it rise majestic here, girt by these grand mountain s,command- ing views of unmatched natural beauty and overlooking the graves of the heroic dead. And so may it stand a mute but eloquent witness and memorial to all coming generations of the battle of Bennington and of the valor and virtue of the men who crowned the day, whose an- niversary we celebrate, with glorious victory. Benediction, pronounced by the Rev. Isaac Jennings. RECORD HISTORY OF THE MONUMENT. [COMPILED BY CHAELES M. BLISS.] In 1853 the Legislature of Vermont chartered the Bennington Battle Monument Association and named among the incorporators thereof the following ^ell known citizens of the State: John S. Robinson, A. P. Lyman, Samuel H. Brown, Benj. F. Fay, E. D. Hubbell, Heman Swift, Pierpoint Isham, William Bigelow, Daniel Roberts, A. L. Miner, Caleb B. Harrington, D. A. Smalley, Homer E. Royce, Asa O. Aldis, Oscar L. Shafter, Wm. C. Bradley, Chas. K. Field, Frederick Holbrook, Isaac F. Redfleld, Stephen Thomas, "William Mattocks, Henry Stevens, Erastus Fairbanks, Portus Baxter, E. P. Walton, (Jhas. G. Eastman and Paul Dillingham. It appropriated $3000, on condition that $7000 more were raised and the comer stone of the proposed monument were laid on the following 16th of August. These conditions were not ful- filled, but the fact of legislative action proved to be most helpful when a second attempt in 1876 was made to again incorporate the Association. The chief promoter of this first enterprise was Mr. Geo. W. Robinson of Bennington. The second movement was an outcome of the proposition to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the battle, with more than the usual, or even occasional, notice which every anniversary since the battle was fought, had received. For several years pre- vious to Aug. 16th, 1877, it was common talk among the people of Bennington, ever alive to the importance of Gen.. Stark's victory on the fortunes of the Revolutionary war, that the centennial of that victory must be celebrated in a manner worthy of S,n event ' of such national importance; and, long before the time approached, it -Was well understood throughout the State that there would be a great celebration at Bennington during the week ^of Aug. 16th, 1«77. ..So early as August of 1875, the Veteran ^Soldiers, holding their semi-annual reunion at Brattleboro', adjourned to meet at ^, Bennington two years later on account of it, and the Ben- nington D<}ily News of Aug. 20th says that an "enthusias- tic concourse of citizens endorsed" this action. Col. Jas. H. Walbridge of Bennington made a speech in favor of such j. adjournment. On Sept. 16th, the Banner has an article from ■ '"Civis" advocating the formation of a Town Historical Society to take the initial steps towards securing a suita,ble celebration and for other purposes, and the Banner comments fa- vorably thereon. The proposition to form such a society was well received throughout the State, and also the proposition to celebrate the centennial year of Vermont's existence as a State organization, which was one of its avowed objects. The editor of the Banner was at that time the late J. Halsey Cushman, and there was no more enthusiastic supporter of a great celebration than he. In a speech at the Officers' Reunion at St. Alban's, Oct. 14th, he warmly endorsed the project. - The Bennington Daily News, which was then substantially a daily edition of the Banner, on the 28th' of Oct., published a call for a meeting of the citizens of the town, as the subject of a cele- bration had been suffipiently discussed for months to warrant ac- tion. The Vermont Gazette, at that time edited by Mr. Asaph P. Childs, had, from time to time, advocated beginning the work of getting ready for the celebration. The call in full is as follows : Bennington's centennial. As it has been suggested that a Town Historical society be formed in this town to aid in preparing for the centennial anni- versary of the Battle of Bennington, and as such suggestion has found favor throughout the State, a meeting of our citizens to take the matter into consideration seems desirable. All those therefore, desirous of forwarding this object are requested to meet at the office of John V. Hall in this village on Tuesday evening next at 7:30 o'clock for consultation concerning the proposed or- ganization. Many Citizens. Bennington, Oct. 28, 1875. In accordance with this call a meeting was held, over which the Rev. Chauncey H. Hubbard presided. Col. John E. Pratt was elected secretary. It was formally resolved to form the Ben- nington Historical Society, and this Col. Scott proposed to amend by calling the society the Bennington Historical and Monumental Society. In a forcible speech he showed that now was the time to begin a movement for a monument if we were ever going to have one. His amendment prevailed, but when the committee, appointed, at the meeting to draw up a plan of organization, re- ported, they reported in favor of the idea but omitted the word " monumental" from the title as unnecessary. This committee were Messrs. Thomas White, C. E. Welling, J. H. Cushman, J. Seymour Merrill and Alfred Robinson, and the meeting adjourned subject to their call. On the 16th they re- ported a constitution and by-laws and a full list of officers, which were respectively adopted and elected. The president was the Hon. Hiland Hall. Among the vice presidents, were the Rev. Isaac Jennings, Seth B. Hunt, Trenor W. Park, Rev. C. H. Hub- bard, A. B. Gardner, Henry G. Root, Dr. Benj. F. Morgan, Thos. White, Henry W. Putnam, Hiram Bingham, H. E. Bradford, David F. Squires and John H. Plagg. The corresponding secre- tary was Charles M. Bliss ; the recording secretary, Merritt B. Morgan and the treasurer Daniel McEowen. The Board' of Directors were as follows: A. B. Valentine, A. Robinson, Jas. H. Walbridge, C. E. Dewey, Edward Kinsley, A. J. Mat- tison, J. V. D. S. Merrill, C. R. Sanford, H. T. Cushman, Asaph P. Childs, Geo. A. Wood, Olin Scott, J. Halsey Cushman, Geo. 12 BEG OBJ) HISTOBY OF TSE MONUMENT. W. Robinson, Milo C. Huling, L. P. Norton, A. C. Hubbell, E. O. Cole, Ed. S. Chandler, L. F. Abbott, Wm. E. Hawks, 2d, O. D. Adams and the president of the society, its past presidents, secretaries and the chairmen of all its committees. The active work of preparation for the celebration and the monument now commenced in earnest. During the winter of 1875-6 this board of directors, such members as especially inter- ested themselves in the work and were in town during the winter, held weekly meetings in what is now Sheriff McCall's oflace in the Court House at Bennington. The names of these are Alfred Eob- inson, C. E. Dewey, A. P. Childs, Olin Scott, J. H. Cushman, Geo. W. Robinson, L. P. Norton, A. C. Hubbell, Ed. g. Chandler, and the secretaries, Charles M. Bliss and Merritt B. Morgan, and Col. John E. Pratt the chairman of the geneological committee. The President of the society, the even then venerable Gov. Hall, was never present, but he was constantly kept in- formed of the proceedings; and in consequence he gave the board his most hearty support. Several of the vice presi- dents and other citizens were also deeply interested in the work. Among th6se who were most active were three clergymen of the town, Messrs. Jennings, Hubbard and R. M. Luther, and Messrs. Gardner, Bingham, J. S. Merrill, Elijah Dewey, and Thos. White. Mr. Dewey and Judge White, the first never a member of the Monument Association and the latter not until a late per- iod, have ever been among the most earnest promoters of the monument enterprise. They have been so, moreover, when mem- bers themselves and even officers were lukewarm in their interest. During this winter a " statement" of the plans and purposes of the - society was prepared in which was foreshadowed the probable ac- tion of the State legislatures of Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, in regard to our own monument, and that of Congress in regard to designating all the battle-fields of the Revolutionary war with stdtable memorials. This " statement" was published in pamphlet form during the session of the Vermont legislature in 1876 and in part reproduced by Massachusetts friends of the pro- ject during the session of the Massachusetts legislature in 1877. The plans thus laid in the winter of 1875-6 in regard to the legislative action of the three States were dubstantially carried into effect as they were laid, and as soon as the respective legislatures met; those in regard to Congress could not be until that body, as was anticipated in the "statement," should be called on to act in behalf of Yorktown, as it was in 1879-80. It was foreseen that Congress would build, or help to build, a monument at Yorktown, and having done that, monuments on all the important battle fields of the Revolution erected by government aid would follow as a matter of course. The language of the " statement" on this point is, in part, as follows : "The general government, first by res- olution of the Continental Congress, October 29, 1787, and Ijwice af- terwards, the last time as late as 1838, by bill reported by commit- tees of the House, has shown itself favorably disposed towards the erection of a monument at Yorktown ; and it is now called on from various quarters to carry out these good intentions. Should ' it do so, it would doubtless look favorably on the plan of placing, or assisting to placei, during this centennial term suitable monu- ments on or near all the battle fields of the Revolution. * * * The general government could, with a very limited outlay, mark, in an appropriate manner, all the localities of Revolutionary inter- est throughout the Union. Not so very readily, however, did Congress enter upon this policy. It was feared that in doing so too wide a door would be opened for all sorts of monumental schemes, and when in Jan- uary, 1880,' the House of Representatives had, without opposition, passed the Yorktown bill and sent it to the Senate, this opposi- tion manifested itself in and out of Congress. The military com- mittee of that body reported the bill favorably, but used the fol- lowing hostile language in regard to the general policy of building Revolutionary monuments. "Your committee are of the opinion that it would be unwise to adopt a precedent which would lead to the erection by the Na- tional Government of monuments commemorative of Revolution- ary events, * * * but they find no difficulty in making this case an exception." Nevertheless, so did the current of popular opinion on this subject change, that this same committee, before the close of that Congress, not only reported special bills for monuments commem- orating the battles of The Cbwpens, Oriskany and Bennington, but reported Senator Morrill's general bill in favor of monuments on all the important battle fields of the Revolution, on condition that the localities should raise a sum sufficient to cover one-half their cost. Another committee reported a special bill for Saratoga. Since then many special bills have passed Congress for monu- ments to commemorate events in our Revolutionary history, and a committee of the House of Representatives in 1884 reported an improved general bill, but no vote on anjr general bill was ever had in either House of Congress. The amount appropriated by Vermont in 1876 for the monu- ument was $15,000, and $2000 for the celebration. The $15,000 was conditioned on the raising of $5000 by the Association. This was done, and early in 1881 the $15,000 was drawn from the State treasury and placed, with the $5000, in the Bennington Battle Monument Fund under a law creating such a fund, passed in 1880. The Treasurer of the State is the custodian of the fund. The or- iginal corporators of the Bennington Battle Monument Associa- tion, chartered in 1876, were according to Sec. 1 of the Act as fol- lows : " Hiland Hall, Horace Fairbanks, W. H. H. Bingham, Jus- tin S. Morrill, E. J. Phelps, Geo. F. Edmunds, Isaac Jennings, Trenor W. Park, John B. Page, Jacob Estey, E. P. Walton, John Gregory Smith, Asahel Peck, John W. Stewart, Abraham B. Gard- ner, Paul Dillingham, Harmon Canfield, Edward Seymour, Bu*a- ham Martin, Frederick Billings, Franklin Butler, Jed P. Ladd, Mason S. Colburn, Edward A. Sowles, Carroll S. Page, E. D. Ma- son, W. W. Grout, E. P. Coltdn, Geo. N. Dale, Duane L. Kent, Gilbert A. Davis, Homer Goodhue, Milo C. Huling, J. Henry Guild, Geo. W. Farwell, Oscar E. Butterfield, Cyrus Jennings, E. D. Blodgett, Redfield Proctor, John Lovejoy Mason, Eben Graves, Hiram Barton ; and Seth B. Hunt, H. Henry Baxter and William M. Evarts of the city of New York, Samuel B. Sanford and Dan- iel Robinson of Troy, N. Y., with seven persons to be elected an- nually in January by the Bennington Historical Society." In Sec. 2 the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House bf Representatives, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court are xa&Ae, ex-officio, members. In Sec. 4 the Governor is directed to invite, in the name of the State, the States of New Hampshire and Massachusetts to unite with Vermont in erecting a monument at Bennington. In 1880, the Governors of New Hampshire and Massachusetts were, by law, made, ex-offlcio, members of the Association and the Governors of the three States, ex^officio, directors of the same." In 1886, the State appropriated a further sum, not to exceed $10,000, towards the purchase of a site. In 1877, the State of Massachusetts appropriated $7,500 in aid of the monument. This appropriation lapsed, under the general laws of that State, and in 1886.it was renewed and increased to $10,000. To prevent any further lapse it was funded and the Association added $5000, which with the $10,000 constitutes the Bennington Battle Monument Fund of Massachusetts of $15,000, of Which the Treasurer of that State is the custodian. It is a condition of both the Vermont and Massachusetts funds that they can be added to, by the Association or by individuals. One hundred and sixty. five dollars have thus been added to the Vermont fund. The in. terest of the Vermont fund is paid as it accrues to the Treasurer of the Association, that of the Massachusetts is added to the fund as it accrues. In 1877 the State of New Hampshire appropriated $5000 in aid of the monument. The States of New Hampshire and Mas- sachusetts each appropriated the sum of $2500 towards defraying the expenses of the Executive and Legislative depa,rtments 'sj'ith their military escorts, in attending the Centennial celebraljion, ^Massachusetts afterwards increased this appropriation. ^' fhe organization of the Monument Association took plaete, as by law required, at the Court House in Bennington on the second Wednesday in January, 1877. The Hon. Wm. H. H. Bingham of Stowe, was made temporary chairman and the Hon. Carroll S. Page of .Hyd# Park temporary secretary. The Hon. Horace Fair- banks, the Governor of the State, was elected President of the Association, ex-Gov. Hall Vice President, Charles M. Bliss secre- tary, John T. ShurtlefE assistant secretairy, and Milo C. Huling treasurer. The Historical Society had previously met and elected its seven members of the Association, for the year ensuing, as follows: John T. Shurtlefl, Alonzo B. Valentine, Charles M. Bliss, Olin Scott, Chas. E. Dewey, Henry G. Root -^ and Geo. W. Robinson. The Association also elected as cor- porate members at its first meeting Messrs. Wm. E. Hawks 2d, A. P. Childs and E. S. Chandler. At an adjourned meeting held Jan. 23d, a Board of Directors was elected consisting of A. B. Gardner, A. B. Valentine, Olin Scott, Chas. E. Dewey and A. P. Childs. At this meeting a code of by-laws was adopted, one article of which created the Vermont Centennial Commission under whose auspices the Centennial celebration was conducted. This code was afterwards altered, and the code adopted March 21st was and is, with subsequent minor changes, the code under which the Association has continued its proceedi|P^ RECOBD BISTOMY OF THE MOlSTtrMEWT. 13 n 'The by-laws provide for certain meetings of the Association, lor election of officers, and appointment of committees, andforthe creation of the Vermont Centennial Commissibn; they declare that the Association shall control its own funds and that they shall be paid out by the treasurer only on orders signed by a majority of the Board of Directors, provide for auditors to audit all accounts, and provide for their own amendment. The section defining the powers and duti«s of the Directors is as follows. Sec. 4, Art. Ill : "It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to manage the affairs of the Association subject to such directions as the Associ- ation shall from time to time give them." The work of the Association was, for the year 1877, princi- pally, to conduct the Celebration of the week of the 16th of August M that year. Notwithstanding the fact that a commission was cre- ated, the responsibility for the celebration rested,' by law, on the Association. The Association and not the Commission in- ; vited all the guests, and looked after all the exercises of tlie spec- * ialtwo days' celebration, with the conduct of which it was charged by its charter. The Commission appointed an executive commit- tee :consistiug of Messrs. Root, Valentine, Ruling, Page and Gen. P. P. Pitkin of Montpelier. The latter declined and Col. George A. Merrill of Rutland was appointed. The Association also ap- ■; jointed a committee consisting of Ghas. M. Bliss, Isaac Jenning-* and A. B. Gardner to which Edward J. Phelps, when he was elected the President of the Commission was added, to have charge of the literary exercises of the two days. Two books have been pub- Ushed containing, together, the proceedings of the week of the cele- bration, one by Chas. S. Forbes of St. Alban's giving a pretty cor-, rect account of who was in attendance and what was done ; but not the orations, speeches and poems, which were a chief feature of the occasion, nor the letters from distinguished citizens of the country ; the other, a semi-official account by the Asso- ciation, containing very accurate reports- of these in the main, but omitting some of chief note, and failing to report with any ade- quate fullness the proceedings of the celebration and who attended. From the two books taken together one can, however, get a very tolerable idea of how far the Association obeyed the mandate of the State " to secure * * an appropriate Centennial cel- ebration of the Battle of Bennington, and also the recognition of the year 1877 as the 100th year of the existence of this State as an independent State." The whole expense of the celebration was over $14,000. During the autumn after the celebration, the attention of the Association was directed towards the raising of further funds for the monument. By law, $5000 were to be raised to secure the $15,000 but it was felt by many that a much larger sum thai^ihat should be raised. The subject of a suitable design was also brought forward early. On the latter point a resolution drawn by Gov. Hall was ofEered on the f6th of September and passed on the 23d of October, to the effect that as Massachusetts and New Hampshire had contributed to the monument, the ■ Association would " officially consider no plans or designs for any such monu- ment except in conference with the Governors of Massachusetts and New Hampshire." On the same day the place for the monument was fixed "on the site of the Old Continental Store House at Bennington Center." On the 29th a more formal resolution was passed, unanimously afflrmtng this site, as it was "the objective point of Baum's, de- tachment." On the same day a plan was reported for raismg money, and a " statement" of the Association containmg it and "other matter ordered printed, to the extent of 1000 copies. In it the following language wag used in regiard to procuring a design and in regard to completing the monument when once begun. The sentiment of the Association, and indeed of the town was, from the start, opposed to beginning a monument and leaving it for another generation to finish : < > . , . j. "It is proper to observe here, that the Association has not yet adopted or considered any plan or design for a monument, nor will it officially consider any except in conference with the Governors of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. It is not yet at all certam how much money the Association will have at its disposal for monumental purposes, and untU that time arrives designs are pre- mature. Suffice it to say that it, is the deliberate opinion of this Association, that no attempt should be made at erectmg a monu- ment until the Association has collected and has m its possession a sum sufficient to erect and toaintam a monument, which shall be, by its size, its artistic charai3ter and imposing , effect worthy of the three States which have so properly taken the .initiative m ... its erection, worthy of the nation whose ultimate independence was here made sure, and capable— so far as monumentarart .is capable— of commemorating. :the great event it is designed to ,sig- halizoj The faith of the Association is pledged to the States which have made appropriations for the proposed monument; it is pledged to all who shall contribute to it, that \*-hen the struct- ure is once begun, the funds shall be in its treasury to' complete it. No debt in any event shall be created, nor shall iany hall com- pleted pile be left to mortify the generous contributors to thfe funds for its erection and to attest the bad faith of the Association." Mr. .Geo. W. Robinson was soon appointed ft' solicitor on be- half of the Association, and the work of raising fmids began. Mrs. Ominda Gerry of Bennington, a descendant of a soldier who was in the battle, was the first donor, giving the sum of $100'. The greater part of the money raised by subscription has been raised by Mr. Robinson. , - In view of the very genSal failure of the monument projects of the country, andto set the current of thought right in Bennington on art subjects, the associatiom on the 12th of December, invited "the Hon. E. J. Phelps the Rev. M; H.Buckham, Prof. H. A. P. Torrey, and the Rev. L. G. Ware of Burlington to deliver their popular art lectures in Bennington" during that winter. , They accepted the invitation and th^ lectures were delivered to good houses in connection with the lecture course of the Young Men's Association. President Buckham at the close of his lecture ad- dressed himself specially to, the Monument Association in words of cautionary advice. Four editions, of 500 copies each, of these words of wisdom have been printed. On the 29th the following action was taken. "Resolved, That the Board of Directors be instructed to receive plans and proposals for the Bennington Battle Monument and submit recom- mendations relating to the building of the same to this Association as Soon as practicable." January 9th, 1878, the annual meeting of the Association was held, ex-Gov. Hiland Hall the Vice > President presiding. The Gov- ernor of MassachusettSj the Hon. Alex. H. Rice and the Governor of New Hampshire, the Hon. Benj. F. Prescott were elected m&m- be!rs of the association. The by;laws were altered, making a re- cording secretary and a corresponding secretary, of the office of secretary. The following officers were elected. President Hon. Horace Fairbanks, Vice President ex-Gov. HUand Hall, record- ing secretary Olin Scott, corresponding secretary Charles M. Bliss, treasurer Milo C. Hulingj Directors, Horace Fairbanks, Benj. F. Prescott, Alexander H. Rice, A. B. Gardner, E. J. Phelps, Henry G. Root and Isaac Jennings. On motion of Gov. Hall the follow- ing resolution was passed. "Resolved, That the resolution of the Association, adopted the 29th of December last, instructing the Board of Directors to receive plans and proposals for the Bennington Battle Monument|be and is hereby rescinded, and that the Directors be authorized to take such measures in relation thereto as in their judgment will best promote the objects of the Associa- tion." The Historical Society elected seven members of the Associa- tion for the year ] 878 namely, Messrs. Shurtle£f, Valentine, Bliss, Scott, Dewey, Root and Geo. W. Robinson. On the 13th of Feb- ruary, Mr. Huling having resigned as treasurer, Mr. Luther R. Graves the President of the First National Bank, was elected to fill the vacancy. No meetings of the Association were held after this during the year 1878. The first meeting of the Board of Di- rectors was held in Bennington, on the 16th of January Gov. Pres- cott of New Hampshire, presiding. Mr. Phelps ofEered a resolu- tion to the effect that a worthy monument should be erected, which was passed. Another was passed proposing to raise $45,000 addi- tional funds and another,, making the Hon. Henry G. Root the " Financial Agent of this Association for the purpose of raising the money specified in the foregoing resolution." A by-law was passed as follows : " No design for the Bennington Battle Monm- ment shall be adopted except by the unanimous approval of the entire Board of Directors." * On the, 26th of May the Board met again at Burluigton Gov. Fairbanks, the Chairman of the Board, presiding. Mr. Gardner was added to the finance committee, and Messrs. Phelps and Pres- cott created a committee on design. The next meeting was at Concord, N. H., July 11th, Governor Fairbanks presiding. The third annual meeting* of the Association was held Jan. 9th, 1879. The by-laws were altered so that the Board might con- sist of nine members. The following officers were chosen : President Gov. Benj. F. Prescott, of New Ham jpshire. Vice President Hon. Hiland Hall, recording secretary Olin Scott, corresponding secretary Charles M. Bliss, treasurer Luther R. Graves, Directors, Gov. Redfield Proctor of Vermont, Gov.. Thomas Talbot of Massachusetts, Gov. Benj.; F. Prescott of New Hampshire, Hon.'s E. J. Phelps, A. B. Gardner, H. G. Root, Rev. Isaac Jennings, Hon.-T. W. Park and Maj. A. B. Valentine. " Hon. Henry G.'Root, Mr. Geo. W. Rob- inson and Mr. Charles M. Bliss each reported progress in procur- 14 RECORD BISTORY^^OF TEE JHQNUMEWT. ing sulagcriptions , .,|0E the erection! ; of the, monument." The seven piemhers elected' by the Historical Society for 1879 were Messrs. Shurtleff, Valentine, Bliss,, Scott, Dewey, Root and Geo. 3^., Robinson., , . , , No other pieeting of. the AssociatioA was held during the year 1879. ,. • . The fU-st meeting of the Boai;d of Diirectors for 1879 wasiheld at the State Hou^e; in , Boston, March. 4th, Gov. Talbot^ , the .chair- man, presiding. ,, AUithe Directors were present except Mr. Park. f ,' Mr. Phelps on behalf of committee on a design for the monument pade a report." " On motion of Mr-iRo.ot it was unanimously ., / - ^''-Se^ffo^d, That the commititee on -a ^esiga fpj- the monument, namely Gov. Prescott and Hon. Edward J. T'helps be rp-appointpd, find that tljey be instructed to obtain and lay before th^ Board a design for a moaijment which shall cost not less than 'flttythoilsand dollars." ■ '" Messrs. Root and Gardner were continued the finance com- mittee. Adjourned to meet at Bennington August 15th. . The second meeting was held August 15th and 16th at the house of Trenor W. Park. Ex-Gov. Rice and ex-MayOr Fred. W. JLiincbln of Boston were present. Gov. Rice pi'efeided, in the ab- sence of the chairman. Messrs. ,Rice, Park aiid •■ Gardner werie added to the committee on design., and the committee were em- powered to 'f employ such ways- and means as in their judgment seem expedient to secure designs for the Bennington Battle Mon^ timent." Adjourned to meet at the call of the Committee on de- sign; The next meeting was held August 16th, 1882. The fourth annual meeting of the Association was held Jan. 14th, 1880. No quorum being present it was, pn motion of A. B. Valentine, voted to adjourn, to nieet at the same place Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 10 o'clock a. m. On the 27th, " in consequencei of a se- vere storm," no meeting washeldiand.the otBeers.of the'.Associat tipn, held over until their successors were elected as provided by ' ^he byrlaws. The seven members elected by the HistoricaLSoeiety for 1.88P were Messrs. Shurtleff, Valentine, Bliss, Scott, ' Dewey, Root and Geo. W. Robinson. , , ' . The fifth annual meeting of the Association was held Jan. 12, 1881. Messrs- Henry G. JRoot, A. B. Valentine, Olin Scott and Thos. Allen of , St. Louis were elected permanent members- of the Corporation in place of deceased members. The legislature of 188,0, having .made the Governors of Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hftiiipshire Directors, ex-officio, of the Assooiationi i the elec- tion of officers was as follows,: , President Ben j. F. Prescott, Vice President Hon. Hiland Hall, recording secretary Olin Scott, cor- responding secretary Chas. .M., Bliss, treasurer Luther R. Graves, Directors, Benj. F. Prescott, E. J. Phelps, A. B. Gardner, H. G. Root, Rev. ^saac Jennings, T. W.Park, Maj. A. B. Valentine. The Governors of the three States were at, this time Hon. John D. Long, Massachusetts ; Hon. Natt Head, New Hampshire ; Hon. Roswell Farnham, Vermont. ■ The members of the Assooiatdon elected by the Historical So- ciety for the year 1881 were: Messrs. Dewey, Bliss, Shurtleff, Geo. W. Robinson, L. P. Norton, L, F. Abbott and Henry A. Har- man. No further meeting was held during the yeaar. The Act of Congress appropriating, $40,000 for the monument was pass^ by the House of Represeiatatives this year, it having been passed by the Senate the year previous. The House report in favor of the Senate bill says : "The State of Vermont has api^propriated the sum. of $15,000, Massachusetts $7,500, and New Hampshire $5000. These sums have been increased, by private subsoription .from all parts, of the country, until the aggregate sum reaches in round numbers, $40,000. , TheBenningtou Battle Monument Association, •a.Corporation.chartered by the State of Vei-mont. * *. * design to raise the sum of $100,000 to consummate the patriotic object of the Association ; and your committee are of the opinion that havilig accomplished so much themselves, they ought not to look in vain to iCongress for assistance." It was the oftexpressed opinion ol the late Gov. Hall that " Congress would give the As- sociation $50,000 as readily as it would $5000 if it could be made to understand the case" and the subject be brought to a vote. He knew and dwelt, almost to ,the point of discouragement, on the dif&culty of getting the attention of Congress toiaspeciall matter of this kmd; but thanks to an energetic and influfential delegation from Vermont and particularly to the active interest of Senator Morrill and Representative Joyce, and to members of Congress from other States interiested in similar patriotic enterprises, and to the generally, expressed .favoi-able. sentiment of the country. Congress did listen. No bill, Jiowever,. was introduced in either House for the Bennington Battle JVlonument. It was beheved that all the important battle fields of the Revolution should, receive Congress- ional .recognition and a general bill was prepared covering all the principal points,, but: not by name, on condition that the localities should raise one-half of the money needed for the monuments. ,Thi&:biU was reportadifavorably and also a special, bill for Ben- nington icmbodying. this, 'principle. It was,hecause the Association had raised $40,001) itbat Congress gave it $40^000. Had the Asso- ciation raised $50,000 Congress would,* no doUbt, have duplicated that sum .and. thus Gov. HalU* wish would, have been' realized. Theibill was approved FeJj, 8, 1881. The appropriation was con- ditioned on the approval of the design by the President, or by an art; commission appointed itoy him, and' on. the report of three arn^y officers that the sum appropriated>was sufficient with'other funds to compleite.the monument.,. Somewhat similar conditions, attach to the Bennington Battle Mopumeht Fund of Vermont, . $20,165, to the Bennington Monument Fundiof Massachusettfev $15,000 and its accrued interest, arid, to the iNew .Hampshire appropriation, The -legislature of .Vermont,.howev.er., bi,1884 released $10,000 of the fund to the Association for, the purchase of a sitej but-failed to make an additional appropriation of $10,,000 to add to the- fun4, though auch an appropriation was reported favorably by a joint committee of both Houses. In 1886, an additional $10,000/ was freely appxopriated. - (Jpito the passage of the bill by the Senate of the United States appropriating $40,000, there, was a difference of opinion in the Association as to the propriety of procuring a design for the monument. After the passage of the bill in 1881 there was no such, difference. On the nth day of January, 1882^ the. sixth annual meeting of the Association, was held; Mr-.vLuthjer R: Graves was elected a, member and the seven Historical Society members; were elected by that .Society as follows : . Messrs. DCwey, Bliss, Shurtleff, Geo. W. Robinson, Norton, Abbott and Harman. The following offir cers were elected: President Hon. Benj. F. Prescott, VicePresi*, dent Hon. Hiland Hall, recording secretary Olin Scott, correspond- ing secretary Chas. M. Bliss, Directors, Benj.F; Prescott, E. Ji Phelps, H. G. Root, Rev. Isaac . Jennings, T^ W. Park and A. B. Valentine.: The Directors, ex-officio, were Gov. John D. Longiof Massachusetts, Gov. Chas..H. Bell of New Hampshire and Gov. Rpswell. Farnham of Vermont. A meeting was held on the, 27tli of December of that year to receive propositions for amendiaig'the by-laws. . No other meetings were held. On the 16thjQf August, 1882, the Directors, met, at Benning- ton, the Hon: I Alex. H. Ric^e, a member of the committee on de- sign, meeting! with them and presiding over the meeting, ' Messrs. Park and Valentine were added to the finance committee. Sev- eral designs were offered and it was resolved that "the committee on dessign be instructed to. obtain sketches or designs from such competent artists as they; may deem advisable to apply to." Ad- journed to meet at the call of the committee on design. '.The seventh annual meeting of the Association was held Jan. 10th, 1883.. The Historical Society elected- on the same day the following seven members of' the AsSociation for ' 1883 : Charles E. Dewey, Geo. W. Robinson, Charles M. Bliss, Edward L. Bates, John T. sjhurtleff, L. F. Abbottand L. P. Norton. Messrs. John G. McCullough, Olin L. Warner, Alfred Robinson, Arthur L. Perry and Fred. B. Jeranings were elected members of the Corporation. The by-laws were altered making the number of Directors ten in- stead of nine as heretofore. , The number ■ elected' and appointed had been ten although the by-laws provided for but nine. The fol- lowing officers were elected : President Hon. Benji. F. Prescott,. Vice President Hon, Hiland Hall, recording secretary Col. Olih Scott, corresponding) secretary Chas. M. Bliss, treasurer Luthei* R. Graves; Directors^ Benj. F. Prescott, E. J. Phelps, Rev. Isaac JenningSf-H. G. Root, A. B. Valentine, John G. McCullough. and Samuel B., Sanford. The following. by-Jaw was passed ;' ' "The assent of two-thirds of theDii'ectors of the Association shall be required for the adoption; of a plan for the Battle Monument in- stead of a unanimous assent as now provided for." No action on the Rinn design, under this by-law, has ever been'taken»by the Di- rectors. It is held that the Association having adopted the design; , even though conditionally, and instructed the Directors to pr5ii'' ceed, in, the erection of the moniiment, such action is not necessary. The. Directors, ex-officio, for 188a, were Gov. Benj. F. Butler of Massachusetts, Gov. Chas. H. Bell of New Hampshire, and Gov.' John L. Barstow of Vermont. No other meeting was held during the year. The Board of Directors held a meeting on Jan. 31st, 1883 at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York City, Gov. Bell of New HampJ shire presiding. Ex-Gov. Rice of the committee on design was' present. Gen. John G. McCullough was added to that commit- tee, Messrs. Gardner and Park ^ of the comwdttee having died. Oh" motion of Gov. Barstow, it was " voted that the committee on de- sign ibe-and are hereby authorized ami requested 'to take into con-' sideration the propriety of securing from the Hon. Secretary of MEGORD msTbRT 6^ tHE MONtTMEKT. .15 War a detail Qf^^an oftcer pf ^he U. S. Engmeer Corps to supbrin- tend the construction of the monument." Messrs. Sanford and McOulIough were added to the finance committee. Adjourned to meet at the call of the coriimittee on design. On the 16th and 17th days of August, the Directors .again met according to adjournment, ex-Gov. Pi'escott presiding, and ex;- Gov. Rice being also present. The committee on design reported the "design of Mr. John P. Weir, Professor in the 'art; school' of Yale Collfe'ge, a statuesque d^SjigfL. , Many other designs'were pte^ sented, chief of which was the design of Mr. J, Ph. Rinn of Bos- ton, a design known to the people of Bennington as the "tall tower" 300 feet high. This was a;iuch faVored by all th^ directors but it was held to be too expensive to be built. Later information proved that it could be. The meeting adjourued subject to the call of the committee, no actibh having been taken on the design. ■ No further meeting was held during the year. Many of the de- |signs brought forward at this; and other meetings, were by some of the most popular artists of the country. The eighth annual meeting of the Association was held Jan. 9th, 1884, the Rev. Isaac Jennings presiding. The seven members of the Association for 1884, elected by the Historical Society, were as follows : Charles E. Dewey, QeOi W. Robmson, Charles M. Bliss, Edward L. Bates, J. T. Shurtlefl, L.F.Abbott and L. P. Norton. The following officers were elected : President Hon. Benj. F. Presdott, Vice President HQn. Hiland Hall, recording secretary Col. Olin Scott, corresponding secretary Charles M."'Bliss, treasurer Luther R. Graves, Directors, Benj. F. Prescott, E. J. Phelps, Isaac Jennings, H. G;. Root, A. Bi. Valentine, J. G. McCullough and Samuel B. Sanford. The mem- bers of the Board," e&-o;^ci?di Were Gov. Geo. D. Robinson of Massa- chusetts, Gov. Samuel W. Hale of New Hampshire and Gov. Sam.- uel E. Pin'gree of Vermont. During the latter part of the summer and. during the autumn of 1884 the, Assciciatioh held frequent meetings, in the expectation that a designv something of the Character of the "tall tower" of Mr. Rinn would be aiiopted. There was also some prospect that the legislature would' make a further appropriation, and in view of having some ten thousand dolla.rs additidnalto procure a site, a committee was appointed to confer with the owners of the lands needed, with a view to purchasing. Mr: Thomas Allen of Efoston was elected a member of the Association, and Mrj Olin L. Warner and he were appointed the "confidential advising artists" of the Association. In view of the expectancy of the adoption of a de- sign for a monument of " magnitude of dimensions" a call for a meeting of the Association was issued as follows, and all the mem- bers were served with printed notices : BBNNOfGTON, Vt., Scpt. 29, 1884. SiE : — Notice is hereby given, in accordance with a vote of the Bennington Battle Monument Association, at a meeting holden at Bennington on the 27th tnst., that a meeting of the A;Ssociation will be held at Bennington on Monday, Oct. 13th, at 2 o'clock p. M., to consider the^^adoption (on the part of the Association) of a design for the monument. (Signed.) Chaeles M. Bliss, Corresponding Secretary. At the urgent request of Mr. Phelps this meeting was indefi- nately postponed, and at the next annual meeting the action of one of these meetings was " stricken from the flies" on the ground of irregularity. One vote in relation to the purchasing of a site j taken at another meeting was rescinded. This action rendered Wll the election of Mr. Allen, who was re-elected the same day, 'and also annulled the vote making Mr. Warner and himself" con- fidential advising artists." On the 2d of December of this year the Directors held a meet- ing at the ofiSce of the Panama Railroad Co., in New York City^, with ex-Gov. Rice of the committee on design present. Ex-Gov. Prescott presided. Mr. Phelps presented a written report of the committee on design and the report was accepted and the design of Prof. Weir formally adopted by all the Directors present. The report of Mr. Phelps was printed and distributed. Subsequently the assent of all the other Directors was obtained. The ninth annual meeting of the Association was . held Jan. 14, 1885. Gov. Pingree presiding. Twenty-seven members were present. The action above noted in regard to the action at the autumn meetings was taken. Mr. Allen and Mr. Frank E. Mor- gan of New York were elected members of the Associa,tion ; a com- mittee on by-laws was appointed and the meeting adjourned till August, unless one should be called previously by the Directors. The Historical Society elected as its seven members of the Asso- ciation for the ensuing year, Charles E. Dewey, G§b. W. Robinson, Charles M. Bliss, John T. Shurtleff, L. F. Abbott, Luman P. Nor- ton and Charles A. Pierce. The following officers were elected : I^resident ijon. Benj., F. Prepcott, Vice President Hon. fliland Hall,, recording secretary CqI. Oljn Scott, corresponding secretary Clias. M. Bliss, treasi^rer, Lutlier R. Graves, Directors, Benj, J'. Prescott, E. J;,, Phelps, IssaC; Jennings, H- G. Root, A. B. Valen- tine, J. G. McduUough, Samuel B. Sanford. The Directors, ex- officio^ were the same as for 1884. As the ditfererice Of opinion between the committee on de- sign and>fehe large majority of the Association in regard to, the character of the design, was a radical one, the historical , Society now took a prominent part in its adjustment.' In the spring a call for a meeting pf the Society was issued^,and on the' 14th of April siich meeting Was held at the Cciijirt, House and a, committee qf forty members headed- by Gov. , Hall, v/ith .power to add to their number, was appointed to bring forward a design of the character of that which had already been presented by Mr. Rinn. During the contest over the, adoption of a design, excitement ran very high. A large number of our citizens, mostly descen- dants of those whoi fought in the Battle of Bennington, early in this year addressed a letter to Gov. Hall in opposition to the Weir design. The Governor had addressed a letter to Mr. Luther R. Graves to be read at the annual Bfieeting of 1885 when the friends of, the Weir design expected to have their design adopted. . It was not read but wasi published and cu-culated. O ut of this letter and the published letter of citizens to Gov. Hall grew his more elab- orate and famous letter, of June l^t, to the members of the Asso- ciation. A circular letter was also addressed and published signed bya large^number of our leading citizens to the members of the Association urging their special attention to this important mat- ter. of 'the design. , , „ J ■ ■ . . ", The " committee of forty" met on. ,the Fijiday subsequent to their appointment, GoV. Hall in the chair, and aftet adding several more to their number, appointed a " working committee," so narded by Gov. Hall, to carry out their wishes. This cpmmittee ■^yas Charles M. Bliss, G§f|, .'VV'. Robinson, .Milo C. Hulihg, John V. Hall add John T. Shurtleff . A finance committee was appointed consisting of Messrs. L. R.Graves, Charles Thatcher and L. F. Abbott. Subsequently an advisory committe was appointed con- sisting of Hon. Hiland Hall, chairman ; Prof. Arljhvir L, Perry, Williams College; the Hon. Joseph B. Walker of Concord, N, H., (a; great grand son of the Rev. Timothy Walker of Revolutionary fame); Prof. H- A, P. Torrey of the University of Vermont ; the Hon.';j Horace Fairbanks of St. Johnsbury, and John W. Stewart, M. C.',.of Middlebury, Vt. ;',' . , , i, , On the 8th and 9th of July this committee met at Bennington and recommended to the Historical, Society for presentation to the Monument Association at its August meeting, a new design by Mr. Rinn for a monument 306 feet .high. Their report was printed, accompanied by a " statement';' by the "working committee,'' .and also by opinions of artists on the proper character of a design for a monument here. Four hundred copies of tMs document were printed and circulated. . , On the first day of June the President of the Society, ex-Gov. Hall, issued in pamphlet form a personal appeal to : the members of the Monument Association which was widely, distributed. The report of Mr. Phelps on the Weir design, jand the ,letter of Gov, Hall in opposition to it, are both .preserved by m.a$ij, persons for the choice English in which they are writteni' Between the time of the annual ineeting of 1885 and the August meeting of that year Mr. Phelps, the chairman, of the committee on design, had been appointed United States Minister to .England. On the 11th and 12th days of August the Association met to act on the design presented by tljie Historical Society. The meet^ ing was the largest ever held by the Association, some thirty members being present. . Gov. J*ingree presided. " Gen. McCul- lough, on behalf of the Board, of Directors, withdrew from the consideration of the meeting' the monument design of Prof. Weir, to which the meeting assented." • ' "Hon.E. P. Walton ofEered the following resolution, the words in parentheses being incorporated on motion of . the Hon. Wm. M. Evarts of New York. • ' "Resohied, That the design for a structure three hundred feet high rec- ommended by the advisory committee of the Historical Society, to this Asso ciation; be adopted subject to' such modification as the (committee of the) Association (now to be appointed) shall hereafter jiiake; and ailso subject to such reduction in size (if heed be) as will secure the payment of the ap- propriations from Congress and from the States of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont, which have already been made." " The resolution was unanimously aidoptqd." Prof. Perry offered a resolution naming as ithe committee re- ferred to " the working committee" of the Historical Society, some- times called "the committee of five" and directing them to take measures to secure the appropriations for the use of the 16 EECORI) MISTOMT pF THE MONUMENT. Association. This committee at once began the work assigned them,- but soon discovered that the Massachusetts appropriatioii of $7,500 had lapsed. Their hands were therefore tied till the Massachusetts legislature cSould act, which it did in March follow- ing by renewing the appropriation, making it $10,000 and, in June fund- ing it so that it could not further lapse. The committee in the meantime raised about $1000 additional subscriptions, mainly through the instrumen- tality of one of their number, Mr. Geo. W. Robinsoi*. They ^.Iso ascer- tained by towage bids for the construction of the monument,^at it was practicable to build the structure 300 feet high, and so reported at the an- nual meeting in January. ' The tenth annual meeting of the Association was held Jan. 13th, 1886, the Hon. James K. Batchelder, Speaker of the Verniont House of Jiepre- sentatives, presiding. ' Messrs. Charles M.^ Bliss apd Geo. W. Robinson were elected members. The Historical So'ciety elected the following seven members' for the year ensuing: Truman H. Bartlett, John V. Hall, John T. Shurtleflf, Charles E. Dewey, L. F. Abbott, Luman P. Norton and Charles A. Pierce. The following officers were elected: Presidenjt, Hon. Benj. F. Prescott, Vice President Rev. Isaac Jennings, recording secretary Olih Scott, corresponding secretary Chas. M. Bliss, treasurer Luther R. Graves, Directors, Benj. F. Prescott, Isaac Jennings, H. G. Root' A. B. Valentine, J. G. McCullough, Horace Fairbanks and Charles M. Bliss; The members of the Board, exr-qfficio, were Gov. Robinson of Massaehu- setts,Gov. Hale pf New Hampshire and Gov. Pingree of Vermont. A special meeting of the Association was held May 19th, Vice Presi- dent Jennings' presiding. The following resolution was adopted ': "EesohJed, That the Board of Directors be requested to co-operate with the committee of five in their work, and that said Directors be re- i^uested to at once procure a plot or survey of the site of the monument and to locate the same, and to make such contracts as may be necessary to~ commence the work Of laying the foundation thereof as early as possIt ble, and not later than the 16th day of August of the present season." Thenceforward the Directors and the " working committee" worked together as one committee. It was also resolved that the actipn of the meeting of Aug. 12th, 1885, whereby the " committee of five" had been given power to modify the design for the monument, be so construed as to give them power to reduce tlie size ■ iriStead of leaving that power with the Association. A, special meeting of the Association was held at Bennington on the 6th day of August, ex-Gov. Fairbanks presiding. The following resolution was passed : "Mesolved, That the monument be located in the centre of the high- way, on the crest of the hill as nearly- opposite the Old Continental Store House as practicable." The resplution was unanimously adopted. "Prof. Perry offered the following resolution : 'Sesolved, That the working committee raised in 1885. be empowered, in co-pperation with the Directors, to proceed at once to lay the founda- tion of the monument, of the design already adopted, with full power to make contracts and cause the erection and completion of the monument.' Resolution unanimously adopted." . The committe and Directors at once called upon Architect Rinn for. a separate plan and specifications for the foundation of a monument SOO'fefet high, and said plan and specifications were furnished by him and printed^ preparatory to advertising and letting, the date of letting being specified as the 23d of September ; but, before the 23d arrived it was deemed advisa- ble, on account of the lateness of the season and the near approach of the session of the legislature to postpone action till another season. It was expected that the legislature would make an additional appropriation for a site. This expectation was realized, and a bill was passed creating two commissions, one to determine how much land was required for the site, the other to purchase it for the State or take the proj^r steps to con- demn it, if purchase was impracticable. The first commission as finally constituted consisted of ex-Gov. John L. Barstow, Lt. Gov. Levi K. Fuller, ex-Gov. Horace Fairbanks, the Hon. Aldace F. Walker and the President of the Association, ex-Gov. Prescott. The second commission consisted of the four first named aod Milo C. Huling of Bennington. On the ap- pointment of Col. Walker oh the Interstate Commerce Commission by the President of the United States, he resigned, and the Governor appoii^ted the Hon. Jas. K. Batchelder in his plaee. A special ineeting of the Association was held Jan. 5th, to meet the State Commissioners. Col. Mason S. Colburn of Manchester presided. A committee of three was appointed to represent the Association before the Commissioners namely, Messrs. Root, Hall and Valentine. Early in the spring of 1886, and as soon after the actiofi of the Massa- chusetts legislature as practicable, the " working committee" secured the approval of the design by the President of the Lnited States, the resolu- tipn of the Association in regard to the right to modify, being furnished with the design, and the appointment by him of the Army Board provided for by the Act of 1881, appropriating $40,000 for the monument. The com- mittee and the Directors, in accordance with the action of the meeting of May 19th, proceeded at once to procure the evidence required by the Board, and on the first day of July it was presented. The Board reported August [>\.h but their report was not known till some time later, owing to the va- cations of several public dffioers. It was found to be a trifle in excess of the funds of the Association. The design was accordingly reduced, but as Congress was about to assemble it was thought advisable to ask for a re- mission of the conditions on which the appropriation, was made, and the authorization of the Secretary of War to detail an officer of the Corps of En- o-ineers to superintend the construction of the monument in accordance with the action of the Directors at the Fifth Avenue Hotel meeting. A. bill was accordingly prepared-with this end in view, and it was reported favorably in the House of Representatives ; and the Senate committee un- officially favored it. But it did notjreach a vote. Accordingly, the Gov- ernment money was drtiwn on the basis of a design reduced to 250 feet. As there was no prohibition in the Act against building a larger monument, the Government interposed no objection to building one. The moneys of the three States were released on the "basis of a contract ivith Mr. William H. Ward, for a monument 301 feet high, and correspondingly larger every way. . , The State Commissioners ^t their meeting on the 5th of January, 18&7» were in favor of swfeepiiig the hill arPundthe base of the topnument of all the buildings encumbering the site and securing about 44 acres of land as ^he.Assooiatipu'formally^p^ resolution, requested them to di>V so that a grassy slope down to the railroad, which was to be a principal art feature of the monument scheme, would be obtained. Thejr language in their re- port to the Supreme Court, February term is as follbws': "There is no question but that the acquisition of a pfrt, or all thereof (i. e.the44 acres) is desirable" but ov^ing tp i|,'Want of Immediate funds only about 12 acres were acjiually reported as necessary now tp be acquia'ed, , This report i$ signed by Messrs. Barstow, Fuller, Walker ai^d Prescott, Commissioners Only about five acres have been secured under the act and the removal' Of" only four dwelling houses and their aoeom^atiyiiig outbuildings is so fftr secured. .i; ,. : , The act of 1886 provides thai tjie $1(»,000 appropriate^ for the site shall be e^cpended only oii condition' that the monument shall be blegun \nthlh kit. montlis after the site is secured by the State ajid that the, structure shall be finished ivithin' Ave years. A bond b*is beun signed securing to the State a compliance with these, conditions. The signers are Luther B, 61-kVes, Wm. B. •Mawks.Sid, Hewy G. Root,' Alohzo B. Valentine, John T. Shurtleff, Milo C. Huling, John V. Hall,and Irving E. Gibspn, all citizens o^ Bennington, but not all members of tile Association, Work on the monumeht began on the 4th' of June, although the con- tractor, to procure, stohe for the foundation, aadbadklngi had jcommenoed work on .ttie Ly- man and Fillmore quarries ]i>ef ore this. He, has thi'ee ye^re in which to finish lus contract, but expects to be through With it in the autumh of 1888. ' The tenth annual meeting of the>.(i^sooiatiqn ,was held Jap. 17th, 1887, Prof . Perry preg|A- ing. The Historical Society members, elected by that Society, for 1887 were John V.Han, L. J". Abbott, Lumto P. Ndrt&n, Charles A. Pierce, WiUi. K. Morgan, E. D. Bennett and Jaa. K. Batchelder. ' - ; ': The by-laws were altered so that the Board of Director^ could be increased by three ad- ditional members. i . ' ' . The following officers were elected : President Hon. Benj. F. Prescotf, 'Vice President Rev. Isaac Jeniiings, recording secretary Col. Olin Sccftt,' corresponding secretary Chas. M.. ^li^, treasurer Luther H. Gravesj Directors 'Benj . Fi,Pre8oott,,Isaac Jennings, H. G. Boot, A. B. Valentine, J. G. McCullough, Horace Fairbanks^,Charles M. Bliss, John V. Hall, M. C. Huling and John T. Shurtleff. The Directors, ex-officio., were Gov; Oliver Ames of Mas- saehnsetts. Gov. Moody Currier of New Haiiipshife a»d Gov. E. J. Ormsbee of Vermont! The following resolution was unanimously adopted. "Jlesatvea, That the coinmittee of five appointed at the August meeting in 1886 be at their own request discharged ; ,and that all the powprs and functions heretofore granted to said committee, be graiited to and reside In liie Boatd of Directors ; arid the Association hereby confers upon said Board full power and authority to make contracts, build the mon- ument, to be substantially after the design heretofore approved by, the Association, and do all other things necessary to carry out the spirit of this resolution, as well as in respect to the Release ,of funds for such mon;miient and procuring and collecting funds for monumental and other purposes conected therewith." A special meeting of the Association was held Jan. 19fh, the Hon. John V. Hall presid' ing. Messrs. Hall, John T. Shurtleff, Chas. E. Bewey and Thomas White were elected mem- bers of the Corporation by the Association. ' A meeting of the Board of Directors ,; consasft^ng. of seven local members, was held at Ben- nington April 12th, tlie Hon. Joliii 'V. Hall presiding/ at which a building committee VM elected tjonsisting of Messrs. Boot, 'Valentine apd'H:nUhg,to 'wbom were referred all questi *«,000 6f the Governmerft funds and the f BGOO of New Hampshire. The Vermont 815,080 and the Massachusetts $10,000, with $10,166 and the accrued intertst on $16,000 were already invested., As the coutraptor must expend $10,000 of his own funds before he draws any frpip the Association, these invested' moneys can for the most part remain on interest till^wOrk, i^ well along next spring. The aggregate of these sums it will be seen is a trifle above $S0,0(I0>. The Association ha.s 'fuso a few thousand'dollars of uncollected subscriptions, ahd the State has appropriated $10,000 additional for the site. . The citizens'of BenningtOn-have from time to time contributed to,.thevrunning expenses of the Association and the Historical Society, of which ho regular'accouht has been kept, as these moneys have never been in the posses- sion of either the Association or the Society, bijit, taking the moneys contributed and appro- priated from all sources, and the interest already earhed and to be earned while the monu- ment is in process of cOhsttuction, the sum of about $100,000 is reached. It is estimated that about. $20,000 more are needed to carry out the monument enterprise to the final completipn.. Thus, the contract provides for a wooden staircase : an iron one or a fire-proof inclined plane conceded to be desirable, will add several thousand dollars to the cost. Before the contract was authorized an effort was made to get a full meeting of the Directors, perhaps at Boston,, as one of the non-resident Directors had suggested, so that all quf^tions relating to the stone selected, to the modification of the design, to the employment of a scientific engineer, to the procurement of more land around the site, as the State Commission had pronounced desira- ble, to the building of the foundation at onue by the Association and as a separate affair from the contract for the shaft ; and all other questio:^, still undertermined, could be discussed, at length. It was held that these questions' were too important to be decided by a merelv local Board, and off hand, but that Uiey could be considered and deliberately settled by the ^ft'S Board diiripg the summer while the foundation was going in. This effort to get a full meg^i'> j ing outside of Bennington, took on a tangible form at the meeting of the 2teth of April, offi^ '.f; motion to hold such a meeting before the contr^t was closed, but the motion did not pieTEOl, An Art Commission has recently .been appointed on the question of .modifying the de- sign for the monument which was referred to the building committee April 12th, This com- mission consists of the architect, Mr, Binn and the artists, Messrs. plin-L^ Warner and T^os.. Allen. At a meeting of all the local Directors "who "were in town, held immediately after the annual meeting in January last, some such a course was unanimously resolved on. -^ It is not the province of the Banner, here and now, to criticise the design. Provisions, for its modification are still in force, and a clause in the ooiitract provides for their execu- tion, should they be decided on, but whether any alterations are made or not, lit is certain , that 'a most important Revolutionary event is at last to receive permanent commemoration ' by a towering strucLure on a most magnificent site. To'tnis end patriotic citizens all oveV' the country have contributed, the three States " whose * embattled fai^mers* and artisans fought that August fight in tlieir shirt sleeves and never thought Of scene or fame," have ' liberally appropriiltea, and the Nation, whose existence was here made sure, has given of its treasure. i ' ERRATA. On page 3d, first column in the 12th line from the bottom foif '.'coarse" read "course;"" in the tenth line, for "joins" read "joints ; " in the fifth line for "jottled" read "joggled." In the twenty-third line from the top of the 2d column, erase the word "Generals." At the end of the opening address of the President of the Day , (page 6, first column), add the following : "In this duty he will be assisted by the Most . ■WoSnipful 'William B- Burleigh, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Masonsof Kew Hampshire," arY244 Record, history, and description of the 3 1924 032 193 868 olin.anx